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19May

May 19, 2015

Top 3 Ways to Keep Your AC Running this Season

Your air conditioner is getting ready to start working full time to keep you cool this summer. But what have you done for your air conditioner lately? We depend on our AC to keep us cool on the hottest of days, but there are some things you can do to help it get ready.

The air conditioner experts at City Wide Heating and Cooling have created an AC Prep Checklist to make sure your air conditioner is ready to do battle against the Kansas City heat. Follow these tips to give your AC a fighting chance.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips:

Give it some room – Make sure nothing is within one foot of your air conditioner. Trim back any trees or bushes around your outdoor AC unit. Your air conditioner needs air to circulate through the outdoor coil, so if there are obstructions in the way it has to work harder. This leads to earlier breakdowns and a loss of efficiency. Don’t plant any plants within a few feet of your air conditioner.

Give it a bath – Rinse off your AC unit to clean off dirt & dust that has accumulated over the months it spends outside. Make sure the power is off to the air conditioner, either by flipping the breaker on your electrical panel or removing the disconnect on the outside electrical box. If you are not comfortable with this, call a professional to handle it for you. Do not use any chemicals or soap when rinsing it. Don’t use a pressurized nozzle or turn the hose on full blast. Just rinse any dirt, leaves, or debris off of it. And, once you are done, let it dry for 30 minutes before turning your air conditioner back on.

Replace your filter – Make sure your indoor air filter is clean so your entire air conditioning system can work as efficiently as possible. Your furnace blower is responsible for blowing that cool air around your house, and a dirty filter makes it work harder. This leads to higher utility bills and a potential for earlier breakdowns.

Help Your Air Conditioner Help You

Your air conditioner is a machine designed to do one thing – keep your home cool. If you want to get the most out of it, these simple tips will help keep it running at peak efficiency. If you have any questions about air conditioner maintenance, give the heating and cooling experts at City Wide Heating and Cooling a call and one of our AC technicians will be happy to help. Call us at (913) 384-6006 or (913) 236-5555.

15May

May 15, 2015

City Wide’s Ultimate Guide to Residential Air Filters

I don’t know about you, but I personally have a mental block when it comes to my furnace air filter. I put reminders on the calendar. There are apps for your smart phone. But I still find myself saying “When was the last time I changed the air filter?” Being in the business, I know the importance of replacing my air filter regularly. As I answer daily service calls from customers with no heat or cooling, the first question I ask is “When was the last time you replaced your air filter?” and quite often the answer is “I don’t remember”. Air filters are part of the regular maintenance that keeps your heating and cooling equipment running efficiently. This got me thinking maybe I can help by putting it all in writing, so I created The City Wide Ultimate Guide to Residential Air Filters. Here you can learn how air filters work and why they are needed, and what we recommend so you can decide was it best for your personal indoor air quality.

Why Do I Have an Air Filter & How Does It Work?

Air filters are installed on the air intake side of your furnace. Their main purpose is to filter the air going into your furnace to keep particles from damaging your equipment. Dust, hair, pollen, etc. are captured in the air filter when the blower is running. Capturing all this “gunk” is great for your living environment, but if that filter is not changed regularly that “gunk” will clog the filter and restrict air flow to the furnace/AC causing them to shut down. So the long and short of it is your air filter:

Extends the life of your HVAC unit
Keeps energy costs down
Maintains healthy air quality
Avoids extra repairs, service, and parts expenses

What Type of Air Filter Do You Have?

One-inch Filters – One-inch filters are the most basic filters you can buy and come in two types. They are the cheapest of the options but the least efficient.

One-inch Fiberglass – these are the filters we all remember from years ago. They are flat and look like colored plastic spider webs in a cardboard frame. These filters are great to keep your cat from getting into your furnace but won’t stop most small particles. These should be changed every 30-60 days.
One-inch Pleated – these are the upgraded cousin of the oldies but goodies. They are a pleated material that is supported by chicken wire to keep its shape, surrounded by a paper frame. These filters will stop most standard particles in your home. These should be changed every 30-60 days.

Four, Five and Six-inch Filters – These filters can vary widely by manufacturer. Some are the same as the one-inch pleated filters just bigger. Some have special electrostatic coatings to attract more particles. All of these filters will last longer because they have more surface area to collect “gunk”. Make sure, if you choose this option for your home, you ask questions and do your research to make sure you are getting the best option for your home and the most bang for your buck. These filters should be changed every 6-9 months.

Electronic Air Cleaners – These are an older technology that is being phased out. With these you wash a filter cell every month with mild soap and water, let it dry completely then replace it in the unit. Some systems have carbon filters that need to be replaced every 3-6 months.

What Are MERV Ratings? Why Should I Check It?

A MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating is a number ranging from 1 to 16 that shows the filtration value of air filters. The higher the number, the better the filtration. MERV ratings are used to rate air filters on their ability to remove dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, etc. from the air.

Most one-inch air filters only have a MERV rating of between 1 and 4. While inexpensive to buy, they do NOT do a good job of filtering the air. They will not stop particles smaller than 10 microns. (A human hair is about 70 microns in diameter.) Filters with MERV ratings of between 5 and 8 will catch particles as small as 3 microns. Filters with a MERV rating of 9 to 12 will stop particles in the 1-3 micron range, and these filters are a great choice for homeowners who want the best particle control possible. The most efficient filters have MERV ratings of 13 to 16 and will stop particles as small as .3 microns.

City Wide’s Air Filter Recommendations.

There are several different kinds of air filtration to choose from, each having its own characteristics. Here is a quick breakdown of what we recommend to our customers:

GOOD – one-inch pleated air filter – MERV 8 – can be purchased at any hardware store, should be changed every 1-3 months.
BETTER – four-inch pleated air filter – MERV 8 – can be purchased at our office or online through some suppliers, should be changed every 6 months
BEST – Carrier Air Purifier – MERV 13-15 – reduces allergies, captures & kills 96% to 99% of the airborne germs & viruses in your home.

If you have questions about the care or maintenance of your filters, or want options for your home air filtration, give City Wide Heating and Cooling a call at (913) 384-6006 or (913) 236-5555. Be sure to check out our website for special deals and promotions!

May 11, 2015

Breathe Easier with a Whole-House Air Purifier

Woman with Allergies Picture You may know City Wide as KCs furnace and air conditioner installation company, but did you know we are experts at indoor air quality too? You would be amazed at the difference improving the air in your home can make. Most typical fiberglass air filters have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of 1-3 and are only about 10% efficient at filtering out large particles like dust and lint. That’s why we recommend a whole-house air purifier.

Carrier Infinity Air Purifiers Help Allergy Sufferers

If you have anyone in your home who suffers from allergies, an air purifier should be a high priority. We recommend the Carrier Infinity air purifier. It provides a 99% inactivation rate against selected viruses, bacteria and fungi. At MERV 15, it achieves the highest air cleaning efficiency of any Carrier model. You will notice the difference in your home and the replaceable filter can provide several months of filtration before needing to be changed. It even comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

How Does This Air Purifier Work?

The particles are electrically charged as they enter the purifier. A specially designed, continuously charged media filter captures these airborne particles. Patented, state-of-the-art technology kills any captured viruses, bacteria, and mold. It can also prevent further growth of bacteria and fungi on the filter.

The Infinity Air Purifier Is Convenient and Low Maintenance

Unlike many portable air cleaners, Carrier air purifiers are silent. Plus they can treat the air throughout your entire home, not just in one room. In fact, they clean over 100 times more air than some popular portable units. They are low maintenance with no cleaning required. Simply remove and replace the media cartridge periodically to maintain peak performance.

When it comes to indoor air quality, City Wide Heating and Cooling is the company to call. We can install air purifiers, UV lights, humidifiers and dehumidifiers to make sure your home is as comfortable and healthy as it can be. Call City Wide Heating and Cooling at (913) 384-6006 or (913) 236-5555.

April 1, 2015

Benefits of the City Wide Maintenance Agreement – Sign Up and Save

Maintenance Plan Icon Just like your car needs a tune-up occasionally, your furnace and air conditioner benefit from regular tune-ups as well. There are many benefits to an annual tune-up, but did you know there are even more benefits to signing up with City Wide Heating and Cooling for our Preventive Maintenance Agreement? It’s true. At City Wide, we believe having a tune-up is so important, we offer some extra perks when you sign up to automatically schedule a furnace and AC tune-up every year. Check out the details below.

Be First in Line

When you sign up for our PMA (Preventive Maintenance Agreement), you’ll not only get two tune-ups a year, you’ll get priority service. That means that if you have any trouble with your furnace or air conditioner at any time, you’ll get to go to the front of the line and receive service before any other customers who don’t have the PMA. It’s always great to be first in line.

Save on Parts & Labor

Besides being smart and keeping your equipment in tip-top shape by having a tune-up twice a year (one furnace, one AC), you’ll also save on repair costs. If you should require any repairs on your system you’ll get a 10% discount on all parts and labor. Not to mention that your chances of a breakdown are greatly reduced by having an regular maintenance.

Save on Energy Bills

A system that runs efficiently will use less energy to achieve the desired results. That means lower utility bills for you. Considering that heating and cooling your home accounts for over half of your energy bills, that can be a significant amount of money that’s staying in your pocket.

Sleep Easier Knowing Your Home Is Safe

Having your furnace and AC checked each year may also catch problems before they start. This not only reduces the risk of breakdowns which can be a hassle, but it also reduces the risk for fire or carbon monoxide hazards which can be a lot more than a hassle…they can be deadly.

Less Expensive Than Two Tune-Ups a Year

If you were to schedule two tune-ups a year (one for your furnace and one for your air conditioner), it would cost you more than becoming a Preventive Maintenance Agreement customer. With our PMA, you’ll get those tune-ups, and priority service. Plus, we include free air filters and humidifier pads. There are no extra charges unless something is broken. And then you get a discount on the parts and labor!

The City Wide Preventive Maintenance Agreement (PMA) is the most cost effective way to maintain your system. So if you’re going to get regular tune-ups every year anyway, why not take advantage of all of the extras you’ll get by signing up for our preventive maintenance agreement. It will cost you less. Call us today for information on how to sign up! For the best heating or cooling services, call City Wide Heating and Cooling at (913) 384-6006 or (913) 236-5555. For special deals and promotions, be sure to check out our website!

17Mar

March 17, 2015

3 Benefits of a City Wide AC Tune-Up

Your air conditioner sits idle all winter long. Not only is it dirty, it’s been neglected for months after a long, hard cooling season. AC tune-ups are a good idea for every homeowner. The heating and air conditioning experts at City Wide Heating and Cooling recommend an AC tune-up at the beginning of the season. An AC tune-up is a smart investment that will save you money in more ways than one.

Help Prevent Unexpected Air Conditioner Breakdowns

The number one reason to have an air conditioner tune-up is to avoid AC breakdowns. It gets pretty hot during the summer in Kansas City and on those blistering days, your AC works its hardest. It stands to reason that if it’s working its hardest, that’s the most likely time it will break down if it is not in peak condition. During a tune-up, our technicians clean the entire system, tighten any loose parts, lubricate any stiff parts, and replace any broken parts. There’s not much left to break when you’ve made sure everything is working properly. We can’t promise your air conditioner won’t break down, but the chances are greatly reduced with a pre-season tune-up.

Lower Your Utility Bills

Tune-ups keep your air conditioner running at peak efficiency. When a machine is cleaned, parts are lubricated, loose parts are tightened and broken parts are replaced, everything will run smoothly and easily and you will get the best performance with the least resistance. When a machine runs efficiently, it uses less effort to perform and therefore less energy. If your AC bills are high, look into getting a tune-up. You just may recoup your entire tune-up investment over a hot KC summer.

Extend the Life of Your Air Conditioner

Just like changing the oil in your car, regular maintenance will extend the life of your air conditioner. Considering that air conditioner replacement is not a small-ticket item, it makes sense to invest a little along the way to get your money’s worth out of your AC. Tune-ups make sure you get the most out of your entire system.

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