What Does HVAC Stand For Or Mean?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

How Often Should I Have My Chicago area HVAC System Serviced?

It’s important to have your HVAC systems serviced annually to ensure optimal efficiency. We recommend having your air conditioner, heat pump or furnace or boiler inspected twice per year. You should have your air conditioning inspected during the spring or summer. The furnace or boiler should be inspected in the fall/winter. The idea behind preventative HVAC maintenance is to spot issues before they become a costly breakdown in the middle of the season when you need them most, as well as to keep them running at optimal efficiency.

How Often Should I Replace My HVAC Air Filters?

Most manufacturers’ guidelines suggest replacing your HVAC air filters every one to three months. Dirty air filters reduce your indoor air quality and can affect your heating and cooling system’s performance. When in doubt replace your filter we recommend sticking to a 30-day replacement for 1” air filters, but all homes are different.

What is IAQ and Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important for My Family?

IAQ is an acronym for Indoor Air Quality. Ensuring you have clean air inside your home can help you reduce allergy and asthma symptoms. Over time, dust, smoke, pet hair, and other allergens float around inside your home, clinging to your curtains, furniture, and floors. Identifying and removing these indoor air pollutants is essential for your family’s health. We recommend a local professional duct cleaning service to reduce the number of pollutants found inside your HVAC system’s ducts. Zark HVAC can also install special air filters, air purification systems, and UV germicidal lights to help remove indoor air pollutants.

What Can I Do to Lower My Monthly Energy Bills?

Most homeowners on a budget are always looking for ways to lower their monthly energy bills. Here are a few tips from the experts at Zark Heating & Cooling.

  • Switch to a programmable or Wifi thermostat to regulate indoor temps
  • Install ceiling fans to improve your indoor air circulation
  • Close the curtains during the day to reduce your summer indoor temps
  • Open the curtains during the day to increase temps during the winter months.
  • Ensure your windows and doors are sealed with weatherstripping
  • Unplug or turn off electrical appliances when not in use
  • Ditch the incandescent light bulbs and switch to energy-efficient LEDs
  • Schedule annual HVAC preventative maintenance services
  • Add a whole home humidifier to help increase warmth during the heating season
  • Leave your bathroom exhaust fan off if you want to help add some humidity to your home in the winter months
  • Wait until the sun goes down if possible before dropping the temp in your home during the Air Conditioning season. Less sun = less heat load

    If your equipment is older than 15 years old upgrading to just some basic equipment can save you hundreds per year. Higher efficient models will save you even more money

    I Turned My Heat Up To 80 Or Down To 60 But It Doesn’t Feel Any Hotter Or Cooler. This Can’t Be Normal, Right?

    Turning up the heat to a higher set-point on your thermostat will not make it blow any hotter. Turning it way down will not make it any cooler during AC season either. If you have an older furnace or single stage system, the thermostat is basically just a switch. Meaning, it just turns the equipment on/off and it will run at a set speed and temp until the thermostat is satisfied and then it will shut off. Higher efficient equipment can change output temps and speeds as needed.

    What Is HVAC Zoning? – How Does It Help Lower My Energy Bills?

    If appropriately designed, a zoning system can help you save hundreds in annual energy costs. HVAC zoning enables you to regulate your indoor temperatures for more consistent comfort. Your home will be divided into various zones, allowing you to control different rooms based on your heating and cooling needs. If certain rooms are used daily, you can ensure these areas receive more heating or cooling than other unoccupied areas of the house. Call us today for a free in-home analysis to see if we would be able to get your home set up on a zoned system, not all homes are accessible.

    How Often Should I Replace My Furnace or Air Conditioner?

    Most builders grade furnaces and air conditioners usually last 12-15 years, depending on the make and model and how often it requires maintenance or repair. If your unit is over 15 years old and needs frequent repairs, it could be time to replace it with a more modern, energy-efficient model. We offer seasonal specials as well as 0% down financing on approved credit. Proper annual Preventive Maintenance can prolong the life from an additional 5 to 10 years!!!

    Why Should I Choose Zark Heating & Cooling

    For over 15 years and tons of 5-Star Google Reviews, Zark Heating & Cooling has offered dependable and reliable HVAC services in a large majority of Chicago’s far Southwest suburbs. Our HVAC service technicians are licensed, certified, and experienced to handle any installation or repair. You can also count on us for 24/7 emergency repairs as needed. We provide upfront pricing and expert recommendations, prior to starting your repair or installation you’ll have all of the necessary information to make an educated decision.

    Contact Zark Heating & Cooling today for a preventive maintenance visit to check out and fine-tune your equipment. Remember, if your HVAC system is older than 15yrs, we can stop by for a free estimate on energy-efficient replacement furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and more.