Blog - Bill's Heating & Air Conditioning

Ductless HVAC

Mitsubishi Ductless HVAC – The Perfect Solution

Posted on January 13, 2020January 10, 2020 by Renee Huepper

Since the dawn of HVAC, traditional duct systems were the only way to go when it came to heating and cooling. Over the years, HVAC equipment has become better and better, improving in efficiency and power. New options like heat pumps and geothermal units sprang to the scene, but Americans still relied on ducted systems. Now that ductless HVAC has started to become more popular with quality systems available, many folks are changing the way they think about HVAC.

What is Ductless HVAC?

Well, ductless HVAC is just as it sounds; it requires no ducts. It is the perfect solution for home or business situations where there is no ductwork behind the walls. This could include a room addition, converting a garage into a living space, or outfitting a very old or historic home or building. An outdoor unit connects to a small indoor unit in each room or area, requiring no ducts to force the air. The exciting news is that many people are finding ductless HVAC is the solution they want, even if they currently have a traditional ducted setup. Time and time again, ductless systems prove to be more energy efficient as customers can control temperatures in individual rooms and areas. And in a space that would require ducts to be added, they are saving big by avoiding extra labor costs.… Read More

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Air Conditioning

Should You Repair or Replace your Air Conditioner?

Posted on May 24, 2018May 24, 2018 by Renee Huepper

Trying to determine whether you should repair or replace your air conditioner can be difficult. There are different points of view to consider and factors to assess. Repair and replacement can both be expensive endeavors making it an important decision. Almost any air conditioner can be repaired; it’s a matter of deciding if replacement is wiser financially, just like an older car. Taking out the potential sentimental value of a vehicle, at some point, the age and mileage on a car make it more expensive to repair than to replace. Most of us are not sentimental about our air conditioners and simply want to have consistent cooling power that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

How old is your Air Conditioner?

The typical lifespan of the average air conditioner is 10-15 years. As a rule of thumb, an AC unit under ten years old should be repaired, of course, depending on the scope of the repairs needed. After around 15 years, air conditioners tend to break down. Their components and parts are worn and reaching the end of their lifespan. If your AC is over 15 years old and the repair calls are more frequent, it may be time to consider replacement.

Repair Costs

Depending on what is ailing your air conditioner, the cost of repairs can be significant. Factoring in the age and if the current repair needed is astronomical, replacement may be the better option.… Read More

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Air Conditioning

11 AC Repair Basics to Help You Avoid Being Clueless

Posted on April 18, 2018April 15, 2018 by Renee Huepper

Be in the know with these common AC repair terms

We’ve all been there. The AC repair guy comes to check out your air conditioner and starts talking about coils, condensers and other things you’ve probably never heard of. He might as well be speaking another language. Do you ask what he means, fearing he might take advantage of your ignorance and try to sell you things you don’t need? Or do you just nod your head and pretend you understand, hoping you’ll never need to? With a few basic terms under your belt, you can understand some AC basics—and arm yourself with a little more confidence.

Of course, if you have a reputable company servicing your air conditioner, you shouldn’t have to worry about being taken advantage of. But who wants to feel ignorant? Below are 11 basic AC repair terms I’ve compiled to help you speak “AC Repair.”

AC
If you found this article, you probably already know that AC stands for Air Conditioning. It’s normally considered the ‘cooling’ part of your HVAC system. But to make things confusing, the term “air conditioning” is also sometimes used to describe any system that conditions the air, whether cold or hot.

HVAC
HVAC is sometimes used interchangeably with AC. However, HVAC refers to the entire heating and cooling system of a home—Heating, Ventilation (for your kitchen, bathroom, and dryer) and Air Conditioning.… Read More

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HVAC

HVAC Maintenance – Why it’s so important

Posted on March 26, 2018March 21, 2018 by Renee Huepper

Often taken for granted, your HVAC system is expected to work on demand, heating your home during the fall and winter and cooling it in the spring and summer. Conveniently tucked away in a closet, the basement or even the attic, it’s a classic situation of “out of sight, out of mind.” The truth is that your HVAC system needs maintenance. It is a complicated, multi-unit system that runs throughout your entire home. There are many moving parts and safety concerns that should be checked, maintained and serviced each season.

Now is a great time for AC Maintenance

Thankfully warmer weather is on the horizon. It’s the perfect time to take a look at your air conditioner and do a little DIY maintenance. Check the surroundings of your unit. Have bushes and shrubs grown taller and are now blocking air flow? These plants can hinder your AC unit from drawing in air, making it have to work overtime to do its job. Break out your trimmer and cut back those branches. Also, is your unit dusty on the outside or on the blades of the internal fan? A quick hose down can remove built-up dust and help your AC run smoother. And of course, change those HVAC filters on a regular basis. No good DIY HVAC blog is worthwhile without mentioning the need to change your filter.… Read More

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