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How to Heat Your Home More Evenly

A good HVAC system should keep your home comfortable during winter, but this is not always the case. If you’ve noticed inconsistent temperatures in your home, below are some things you can do to achieve more consistent warmth.

1. Have an AC Expert Check the Ducts for Leaks

A portion of the heated air traveling through the ventilation system can escape through leaks in the ductwork. Hot and cold spots develop from leaky ducts and reduce your home’s comfort. Moreover, unfiltered air enters through these leaks and affects your indoor air quality. An HVAC professional can check your system to rule out any leaky ducts and ensure your space is being heated as it should.

2. Add Insulation in the Attic

When most homeowners think about energy efficiency, they hardly consider the critical role that the attic plays in heat loss. However, as much as 85% of the heat lost in a house flows through this forgotten room. While most attics have insulation, there’s usually not enough of it. Before you add insulation, make sure that the attic is well vented and sealed. Then, consult an expert for the best insulation material, including fiberglass rolls, foam polyurethane, or cotton insulation.

You can either insulate the floors or roof, depending on your plans for the attic. If you want to finish the attic, insulate the roof. Floor insulation suits unfinished attics. Proper attic insulation keeps you toasty when it’s cold; it also improves AC efficiency, so better insulation is a win-win all year long.

3. Set the Fan to “On”

Your thermostat has a setting that allows you to set the fan switch to either “On” or “Auto.” When the setting is on “Auto,” the system distributes warm air when the furnace generates heat and stops as soon as the furnace stops. Then, the fan starts the cycle afresh, resulting in uneven temperatures from the frequent starts and stops.

When you have it switched to the “On” setting, the fan stays on and distributes air even after the furnace goes off, helping to even out the temperatures across your home.

Inspect and Clean Vents to Improve Home Heating Efficiency

Your vents have a big impact on the effectiveness of your system, and there are a few things you can look check with your vents to get the best heat distribution through your home.

To start, furniture can block vents and interrupt airflow, so it’s a good idea to make sure that there are no beds or couches blocking air supply vents in any room.

Additionally, because vents can accumulate dirt and debris over time, you can vacuum them every so often to promote better air supply.

And finally, if your system has a top/bottom return vent structure, you can close the top vents whenever it’s cold. In doing this, you encourage your system to draw in air from the bottom vents, where the bulk of cold air is.

5. Change the Air Filter

Many homeowners forget to change the air filter every 1-3 months, but it’s really one of the simplest tasks you can complete to support a working system. Accumulated dirt and debris clog the filter, restrict airflow, and cause heating problems. When this happens, the most distant rooms receive little warm air. Fortunately, this is a minor issue you can solve rapidly by yourself.

6. Upgrade to a Larger or Smaller Furnace

Inconsistent heating can signal an incorrectly sized furnace for your needs. If you’ve recently completed a remodeling project, your heating requirements may have changed. In other cases, your furnace may be too large, where it cycles on and off quickly and leaves you cold. Keep in mind that the ductwork can also fail to meet the furnace’s capacity. An HVAC specialist can diagnose these issues and advise you accordingly.

7. Create a Zoning System

A new type of technology, zoning systems help evenly heat and cool your home. The number of zones depends on your house’s layout and size, and heating and cooling needs. Each zone will have a thermostat that lets you select different temperatures and set pre-programmed schedules. In addition to fixing uneven heating, zoning systems improve energy efficiency and result in reduced utility bills.

Fix Your HVAC Problems with Help from our Heating Company in Yankton, SD!

In some cases, you only need to change the filter or reset the thermostat fan to solve uneven heating. However, inconsistent heating may signal complex HVAC problems that our experts are glad to diagnose. And because winters in South Dakota can be pretty brutal, it’s important to make sure your heat is working the way it should.

Is your space too cold for comfort? Contact our heating company in Yankton, SD today! Our services are available 24/7 to families and businesses in Yankton, Vermillion, and other nearby areas.

We have some pretty brutal winters here in South Dakota, with most extreme temperatures happening around December and February. While ice fishing and snow tubing are fun ways to get through the winter, it’s always nice to end the day nice and warm in a heated home. But what happens when snow and ice cause your HVAC system to freeze in the middle of winter? It’s important to know what steps to take so you can get heat back in your home as quickly as possible.

Heat Pump Frozen? Here’s What You Need to Know

When it’s cold outside, heat pumps work just like an air conditioner, but in reverse. The refrigerant takes heat from the outside air (yes, even in winter!) and uses it to make heat for your home. However, sometimes during the transfer, excess moisture causes the coils to freeze up, which prevents your system from working like it should.

It’s actually pretty normal for your heat pump to freeze up, at least temporarily. In fact, your heat pump has probably been frozen before, but thanks to the defrost cycle, you didn’t notice. Most heat pumps have a defrost cycle, and it goes off automatically, running at timed intervals to help keep the system from freezing over. This way, you never have to be without heat.

If your system doesn’t do this by itself, you should be able to turn it on manually. However, not all systems have a manual defrost cycle option; as long as you know the model of your system, you should be able to find out with a quick search online.

And finally, if your heat pump freezes for more than a few hours and doesn’t seem to defrost at all, then you may be dealing with a bigger issue. Your best bet here is calling in a professional so you can get things taken care of ASAP, before costly damage occurs.

Some Helpful Tips

Sometimes, you can’t stop your heat pump from freezing up. There are a few things you can do to help prevent it, including:

Preventative maintenance like this is often ignored, but it’s really so important. If you stay on top of it, you should have little issue with your system, and therefore won’t have to deal with a frozen heat pump or expensive repairs or replacements for your system.

Keep Your HVAC System Working All Winter Long

At Larry’s Heating & Cooling, we know how important it is to keep your home comfortable and warm when the cold weather arrives. Our best recommendation is to get your system checked out before the ice and snow hit; this way, you can have peace of mind knowing you won’t have to worry about your heat going out in the middle of winter. Need a pro to come out and take a look at your HVAC system? Contact our heating company in Yankton, SD today! We proudly provide 24/7 heating and cooling services to families in Yankton, Vermillion, and other nearby SD communities, all year long.

If you’ve ever walked from one room to another and felt a noticeable difference in the temperature, you’ve probably wondered why. When you set the thermostat in your home, every room should feel the same (unless, of course, you use zone control). So when it doesn’t, you can’t help but think that something is up! And it probably is.

While the best route is always to call a professional AC company in ‏Yankton for help diagnosing the problem, it’s good to do a little research ahead of time so you have an idea of what you might be dealing with.

What’s Going On? Here’s the Likely Answer

When one room is cooler than another, it’s usually because of an air balancing issue, which is generally a quick fix. Air balancing involves adjusting the levels of air for every room in your home. When your HVAC system is balanced like it should be, then all of your rooms will get the same amount of cold air. If, however, you find that there’s a room room in your home that has a much cooler temperature than the others, you’re probably looking at an unbalanced system.‏

Air balancing helps keep temperature consistent throughout your home and makes sure that all outputs are leveled the way they should be. An HVAC technician can tell you exactly what’s going on and, depending on the problem, make changes to even out the temperature throughout your home.

If it’s not an unbalanced system, there are a few other potential causes. When one room is cooler (or warmer) than another, it could also be due to:

Before you think, “It’s not a big deal,” and skip fixing the problem, know that it’s actually a very big deal! A balanced system allows for enhanced energy efficiency, a longer life for your system, and a more comfortable space for your family. This means more cost-savings and comfort for your family, for much longer. One quick visit from a skilled HVAC technician can help solve your air balancing issue and provide other benefits, too.

Get Air Balancing Help from an AC Company in Yankton, SD!

At Larry’s Heating & Cooling, we know how important it is to have a properly balanced HVAC system so you can keep your home comfortable all year long. If you find yourself dealing with rooms in your home that are warmer or cooler than others, you may need air balancing. Air balancing will take care of any airflow issues in your home so you can stop worrying about the uneven temperatures throughout your home. And remember, the sooner you get in touch with an HVAC company, the sooner you can get back to comfort!

For AC repair, replacement, or installation, contact our team today! Our AC company proudly provides 24/7 heating and cooling services to families in Yankton, Vermillion, and other nearby SD communities.

There’s a lot of argument about whether or not dirty air ducts can make you sick. The truth is, they can. There’s a lot that can accumulate in your air ducts, from dust and dander to mold and pollen. If you think your air ducts are getting dirty, or you’re noticing your family getting sick more frequently, it’s probably wise to consider professional air duct cleaning.

‏The “Stuff” Accumulating in Your Air Ducts‏

‏You may have heard from professional duct cleaners that there is a lot of harmful “stuff” collecting in your air ducts. These things include:

The Effects of Dirty Air Ducts

Dirty ducts aren’t just gross — they also make your home less healthy for your family. If you’ve never had your air ducts cleaned, then yours are probably filled with all of the “stuff” that’s collected over the years. As a result, your family may be dealing with the effects of dirty air ducts.

‏Worsened Pre-Existing Conditions‏

‏Dirty air ducts contain a lot of allergens, so if there’s anyone under your roof with asthma or allergies, they will suffer the most. Because of the dirty air ducts, there will be many allergens circulating throughout the indoor environment, and they will trigger heavy and prolonged attacks. ‏

Research shows that patients with pulmonary conditions show great improvement each time their primary living space receives air duct cleaning. This indicates that dirty air ducts have a negative impact on the health of those living with pulmonary health conditions and allergies.‏

Respiratory Infections and Disease‏

‏If you notice an increased occurrence of coughing and sneezing in your home, it might be a sign that there is something wrong with your indoor air. If you have dirty air ducts, then they certainly will be the culprits. Unclean air that is saturated with dust and allergens can cause many respiratory illnesses. Not only that, but the illnesses may even develop into something more serious like bronchitis or pneumonia.‏

‏Sinus Infection‏s

‏When you have a lot of bacteria and viruses circulating in your indoor air, they might end up in your family’s sinuses, and this can lead to serious sinus infections.

Increased Risk of Cold‏s

‏Apart from affecting your sinuses, the bacteria and viruses in dirty air can cause the common cold. This is especially difficult for those who already have pre-existing conditions, like asthma or allergies.

Itchy Skin‏

‏If your dirty air ducts are packed with mold and mildew, these might end up saturating your indoor air, and you could start experiencing skin issues such as eczema, rashes, and hives. ‏

‏Feeling Tired or Unwell‏

‏When you consistently breathe in  ‏dirty air filled with bacteria and allergens, your body will always be burdened with the task of fighting the invaders off so they don’t cause disease. As a result, you will notice that you’ll start feeling tired and generally unwell all the time.‏

If you notice an increased occurrence of symptoms related to dirty air in your home, then air ducts might be the cause. In addition to an air purifier, professional air duct cleaning will help keep your home — and family — healthy.

Keep Your Home Healthy with Clean Air

As a family owned and operated HVAC company in Yankton, SD, we understand the importance of keeping your home and family healthy. Our air duct cleaning service can help safeguard your family’s health by ensuring your air ducts are squeaky clean. To learn more about professional air duct cleaning or to schedule an appointment, contact our heating and cooling company today. Our services are available to those in Yankton, Vermillion, and the surrounding communities.

If you feel hot and cold spots in your home, you may need to balance your air system to set things right. Air balancing is the technical term for the process used to optimize your HVAC system. This makes sure temperatures are consistent throughout the home or building and the outputs of your air conditioning units are leveled appropriately.‏

‏Air balancing can lead to better energy efficiency, a longer life span for AC units, and a more comfortable home. ‏‏Professional air balancing‏ is an affordable way to make sure your air conditioning units are optimized correctly and fix any cold or hot spots you’ve noticed.‏

‏How Does Air Balancing Work?‏

‏When your technician visits your home, they’ll test your AC unit’s performance to gauge how much air is coming out of the registers throughout the building. Technicians will use flow hoods and position them over the registers and that measures the air that’s currently flowing out. ‏

‏The technicians will take a look at the air pressure from the air supply and return side of your unit using a manometer. Your technician should also monitor the humidity in the different areas throughout the building which is done using a hygrometer. They will be able to monitor for any heat losses or gains in the building. ‏

‏Air Balancing Can Identify Hidden Problems‏

‏There’s an additional benefit to having your HVAC systems air balanced: technicians will be able to diagnose any potential issues. They can use the data they gather during their tests to understand how well your system is performing. Through their tests, they’ll uncover any inconsistencies in temperature throughout the building and uncover what is causing the problem.‏

‏Common issues that can be found during air balancing include blockages, damaged air ducts, any undersized ducts, and ductwork that has sharp turns. If your technicians uncover any issues like this, they can work with you right away to determine the best plan of action. Some solutions may as simple as insulation, but extensive work may be required for HVAC systems with serious design flaws.‏

‏Why Should You Balance Your Air System?‏

‏Your air supply is an important part of creating a comfortable living environment. Air balancing will address any airflow issues that might exist, and your technician can make sure that temperatures are maintained throughout your home. This can be particularly useful in summer or winter, where issues might be most obvious — and uncomfortable. ‏

‏When you call an HVAC company for air balancing, you’ll get a lot more than balanced air! Air balancing can lower energy bills because the AC unit will be running more efficiently. When your AC system has good airflow, it can also help prevent problems like mold and dust, which will increase the lifespan of your system.‏

‏Get AC Repair for Your Home in Yankton, SD‏

‏Whether you’re dealing with a broken AC unit, poor air flow, unbalanced air, or something else, our team of skilled technicians can help. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us today. ‏Our AC repair company proudly serves those in Yankton, Vermillion, and the nearby communities.

Technology is steadily advancing, which has led to many improvements in central home heating and air conditioning. As a result, new AC units can be pretty efficient when it comes to saving energy and maintaining proper temperatures in the home. If you’re thinking about getting a new AC unit, you’ll notice pretty quickly that everything is labeled as “efficient” — and that’s because it is! When comparing older AC units to newer ones, here are the major differences in efficiency.

SEER‏

‏AC energy efficiency is measured using SEER. This is the generally accepted measure of efficiency, and it stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Older air conditioning units have a SEER ratio that’s as low as nine. On the other hand, the new C units have a standard SEER of thirteen and above.‏ ‏Many of the AC units on the market last about twenty or so years. However, once an AC unit is past twelve years, it stops working as efficiently as it used to. Replacing such a unit with a newer one can help you save 20-40% of your cooling energy costs.

Energy Consumption‏

‏A simple way to better understand the difference in energy efficiency between old and new units is to look at energy consumption. Most older models will consume as much as 6000 watts of electricity per hour to properly cool a home. In comparison, newer units only need about 1710 watts of energy to cool homes of the same size. This means that when you upgrade your unit, you’ll reduce your electricity usage by 250%. While getting a new HVAC system can be costly, keeping an older unit will cost you $100 or more in wasted electricity every month.‏ Besides being incredibly efficient, newer units have other key differences that affect the performance and make them a great investment.

Refrigerant Changes‏

‏There have been some changes in the types of refrigerants used in AC units. New units use the R-410A refrigerant, whereas most older ACs still use the R-22. The newer refrigerant used in ACs can better absorb and release heat compared to the older R-22. This means that your AC compressor will be able to run cool, which reduces its risk of burnout due to overheating. Apart from that, the R-410A also functions at a higher pressure than the older refrigerant. This means newer compressors are better able to handle stress, which lowers the risk of cracking (and therefore, replacing). ‏

‏Better Technology Options‏

‏The new technology involved in AC units is incredible. For instance, you can find some that use modulation technology, which can reach staggering levels of efficiency. Apart from just saving energy, these units are better at controlling temperature and humidity, which dramatically lowers the chances of having mold and mildew growth in your home, and boosts comfort and air quality.‏

Noise Levels‏

‏Older units tend to make a lot of noise. However, newer models can reduce the levels of noise by about 20%. This is because newer compressor technology is a lot quieter. Another factor that contributes to noise reduction in newer models is the shape of fan blades. New units are fitted with blades that rotate quietly without making any sound.‏

Lesser Maintenance ‏

‏If you own an old air conditioner, especially one that’s more than 15 years old, you’ll need to have it serviced about four times yearly to avoid major problems and expense. On the other hand, with a new unit, service is only needed ‏twice a year‏. This means owning an old unit can cost you an extra $200 per year. ‏ ‏Dropping money on a brand-new AC unit is a big deal, and it may cause you to hesitate, especially considering that it can cost thousands of dollars. However, it’s a great investment for any homeowner or business owner since newer systems can last upwards of 20 years. And, if you consider the monthly energy savings, as well as the annual maintenance savings, you’ll find that it’s well worth it and you’ll make your money back over time. Need AC installation for your home or business, or looking for someone to come service your HVAC system? Contact our AC company today! We proudly provide heating and cooling services to those in Yankton and other nearby areas in SD, including Vermillion.
There are instances when you might find that, for some reason, one room in your home or office building will be warmer than the rest. This is always a little frustrating, but more so when it’s a room you spend a lot of time in. It all comes down to air balancing. Air balance involves adjusting the levels of cooled and warm air received by each room in your home. If your system is perfectly balanced, all your rooms will receive the same hot and cold air. This means every room would reach and stay at the same temperature consistently. When you find that a single room in your home has a higher temperature than the others, it means that you have an unbalanced system.‏

Air Vents‏

‏The first thing to suspect when one room is warmer than the rest is your air ‏‏vents‏. If the vents in that particular room are closed, then they’re probably what’s causing it to be warmer than the rest. If this is the case, there’s nothing to fix, really. All you have to do is open the vents!

Air Ducts‏

‏Apart from the vents, you’ll also want to check your air ducts. There are cases when your ducts can become clogged with debris. This includes dirt, dust, and pet hair. The easiest way to fix this would be to clean the air ducts.‏ Newer homes are less likely to face this issue, but homes that are 5, 10, 15, or more years old are probably due for a cleaning anyway. ‏Similarly, it can be the case that there are leaky ducts in the other rooms. As such, warmer air will be escaping from those rooms and not from the room with ducts that are intact. An HVAC professional can handle this appropriately and ensure your ducts are all in good working order.

‏HVAC‏ System Problems

‏The problem could also lie within your‏ ‏HVAC system‏ itself. If the system wasn’t installed properly, it could cause some inconsistencies in the temperatures of rooms in your home or office building. If you suspect this may be the case, a skilled technician can come in and replace your HVAC system.

‏Overexposure to Sunlight‏

‏If the warmer room has lots of windows, there are chances that heat from the sun will easily enter and become trapped in the room. This creates a mini greenhouse effect. As a result, that room will be warmer than the rest. ‏To stop this from happening, you can install window treatments like blinds or heavy curtains This will block the sunlight during the day when it’s super hot. You can also install a ceiling fan to help cool the space. ‏It can be annoying and inefficient to have a room that’s warmer than others in your house, especially when the weather is warmer. If you’re dealing with this problem and don’t know how to fix it, we can help. Our HVAC technicians are fully qualified and can balance your heat and cooling levels for you. To get started, schedule an appointment today! Our AC repair company serves those in Yankton, Vermillion, and the surrounding SD communities.

The last thing you want is to get back home and find that it’s too hot inside because your AC won’t turn on. Temperatures can get out of control sometimes, especially during the warmer months, and the only way to ensure the indoor air is comfortable is to run your AC a lot.‏

‏It’s never fun to wait for your AC to get fixed while the temperature rises inside your home. So if you find that your AC won’t turn on, in most cases, all you need to do is call the professionals and get it fixed. When they arrive to inspect your HVAC system, they may say the problem lies in one of these reasons.

‏Faulty Control Board‏

‏A lot of modern air conditioners come with a component known as a control board or PCB assembly. This unit works to regulate the several small elements that make up your air conditioning unit. If the control board is faulty, your air conditioner might not turn on.‏ Since this component performs many functions, it’s generally not advisable to try and fix it on your own. You might end up worsening the situation and damaging the air conditioner further. As such, whenever you suspect that it might be something to do with the control board, it’s best to call the professionals to take a look at your unit. ‏

‏Clogged Air Filter‏

‏Changing out the air filter can be just one more annoying homeowner task. However, if you don’t clean your AC’s air filter per the manufacturer’s recommendation, it will accumulate dirt over time. If that goes on long enough, it can become so dirty and clogged with dust that it could cut off airflow to your AC.‏

‏When your air conditioner is functioning as it should, it absorbs humidity from your home. Some of the water will then condense and fall into a condensation tray that has drain lines, which let water flow outside. But when the air filter is clogged, the water will freeze, and you’ll end up with ice on the coil and‏ ‏other components‏. As a result, the AC won’t be able to cool properly. ‏

‏Here are more reasons why the AC coil might freeze up:‏

‏Temperature Control Issues‏

‏If your AC doesn’t seem to be cooling in your home or office, then the temperature control unit might be to blame. Your air conditioner’s temperature is usually controlled by a sensor that monitors the heat levels in the room. If there’s a faulty connection between the sensor and the electrical unit, your air conditioner won’t bring down the temperature. ‏

‏The temperature sensor is the equivalent of an air conditioner’s brain. The same way your brain sends impulses to your body to modulate several processes is the same way your temperature sensor’s connection is vital for your AC to operate. For any issues related to your AC sensor or temperature control, you must call an air conditioner repair company immediately.

Your HVAC system is an expensive part of your home, and it’s best not to leave problems alone. Minor problems often turn into bigger ones when they’re ignored, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and a lot of stress if you fix problems when they’re small. If you notice something is going on with your heating and cooling system, call in your local HVAC company. If you don’t have one, it’s important to find one and establish a good relationship with them. That way, if something does go wrong, you have someone you already know and trust to give you an honest assessment and fair price.

‏Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Efficiently All Year Round‏

‏The best way to ensure you don’t end up with an AC that won’t turn on is to have it regularly serviced and maintained. Regular visits from an HVAC technician can help you catch small issues that you probably didn’t even know about, and maintenance just might save you hundreds (or thousands!) down the line. If you want to avoid major costs later on, don’t fall into the habit of waiting for something to go wrong before you call the professionals. ‏

‏AC not turning on? HVAC system not running right? Our team is here to help! Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment. At Larry’s Heating & Cooling, we provide AC repair to those in Yankton, Vermillion, and the surrounding SD communities.

How often do you think about the ducts of the air conditioner in your home or business? You probably don’t! They’re a hidden, and often forgotten about, part of the air conditioning and heating system, but knowing the signs for when your HVAC ducts need to be cleaned will prevent surprise failures, not to mention help keep your air quality high and expenses low.

The HVAC duct system has more parts to it than just the tubing that air flows through. It includes drain pans, humidifiers, coils, and fans. It also includes spaces called plenums where important air exchange takes place. A plenum can be a duct, a joist space, attic, crawl spaces, or wall cavities.

So what are the signs that your HVAC ducts need to be cleaned?

Frequently Changing Your Air Filter

Take a look at your air filter from time to time before it’s recommended to be replaced. If you find it needs to be changed more frequently than advertised, this is a sign that ducts need to be inspected for leaks and contamination.

Dirty Air Conditioning Vents

See those vents on the walls, sometimes in the floors, and overhead on the ceilings? Those vents, also called AC grills, are the entrances and exits of your air ducts. They take air to and from the ducts. When you start to see an accumulation of dirt or dust around those grills, it’s an indication that your ducts are pushing and pulling an excess of dirt through the system.

Noisy Air Conditioning Vents

You may notice that your air conditioning vents are louder, rattling, or flapping. This can be a sign of debris. Debris found in AC ducts ranges from construction dust and materials like screws and nails to small toys, or even bits of plastic. These are obviously things you don’t want in your HVAC, and professional duct cleaning will make sure your ducts are free of these things.

Moisture Around Your Air Conditioner

Your AC ducts take air from inside of your home and run it through the HVAC system where moisture is separated from the air, the air is then heated or cooled and returned. If you notice moisture around your vents, schedule an appointment with your local HVAC company right away. Moisture contributes to mold and bacteria formation in the AC ducts, which can lead to all sorts of problems for your family and home.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an important part of your health. The EPA recommends appropriate duct maintenance and cleaning to prevent indoor pollution from mold, bacteria, pollen, dust, and debris.

Air Conditioner Always Running and House Not Cooling

This is a less common sign to have just your AC ducts cleaned because a lot of other factors can be at play. Keep in mind, though, that most other factors are still related to dirt and debris reducing airflow and increasing your HVAC’s workloads. This inevitably leads to parts wearing down or breaking.

Clogged HVAC Ducts Driving Up Your Energy Bills

If there is clogging in the ducts or elsewhere in the system that you can’t readily see, monitoring your energy bills is another way to help you stay alert to possible changes in the system that could be making it use more energy.

Are you seeing or hearing any signs that your HVAC system needs a look, or has it just been a while? Don’t be blindsided by your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system breaking. Costly repairs are almost always the result of a system going too long without the proper care. Your HVAC system is an expensive, important part of your home, and the better you maintain it, the longer you can enjoy it.

Looking for an HVAC Company in Yankton, SD?

Your ductwork is an essential component of your HVAC system. Make sure it’s in good shape. If you need assistance with your heating and air conditioning, get in touch with our team of professionals. All of our technicians are certified, highly qualified, and courteous. Whether you need an inspection, maintenance, or AC repair, we have crews ready to help homeowners across Yankton, Vermillion, and the surrounding communities.

As a family owned and operated HVAC company, we know how important it is to stay comfortable year-round. That’s why we’re available 24 hours, 7 days a week. If you need us, give us a call! We’ll be there.

When your family relies on AC to stay cool and comfortable, it helps to know a little about how the system works. You don’t have to call a repair service every time the HVAC hiccups and, if you know the tricks, you can fix a lot of simple heating or cooling challenges on your own. The DIY method is a practical approach to home problem solving, one you can apply to an AC drain clog. A clogged AC drain means that the condensate created by the cooling coils can’t safely leave the house. This can cause buildup, leaks, mold, as well as water damage to the house. Many ACs are designed to switch off entirely when the AC drain clogs, and this can be the most frustrating of all. Fortunately, if you can spot the drain clog, you can often fix it solo. The first step is to identify your AC drain clog. Look for buildup in the drip pan or signs of drips or water damage around your AC unit. Sniff for mold where the area might be damp as well as check to see if drips are reaching the outdoor end of the pipe. If your AC is sitting in a pan of water or if there is moisture nearby, you may have an AC drain clog with a serious water backup concern. Once you’ve resolved to clear the AC drain, start by switching off the HVAC unit. The safest way to do this is at the breaker so that no electricity can run through the unit while you’re working with its plumbing. Find your AC breaker and disconnect the circuit. Now find the two ends of your AC drain line. The first should be easy to spot, somewhere around the outside of your house. Often, it comes out near the outdoor unit or drips over the edge of the roof.  The second is where the line exits your AC unit with the condensate. This will be a T-junction, ideally with a cap that you can access for maintenance. If you do not have an access cap, it is possible to cut the line but should only be done by those experienced in PVC plumbing techniques. Additionally, place your bucket at the outflow point to catch any built-up water that is ejected when the clog is cleared. Start at the cap near your AC unit. Open the drain valve and insert your flexible brush. This is a long wire brush handle with a bristled brush at the end. It’s like a snake but for scrubbing the inside of a pipe. AC drain clogs are often made of very soft but persistent materials. Often, a stiff-bristle brush can break up a clog near the access point. The most likely place is in the trap, the dip or curve in the AC’s PVC drain pipe. Open the cap at the top end of your AC drain line and position a funnel in the aperture. Boil a pot of water and white vinegar and pour it down the funnel. This combination, heavy on the vinegar, should be strong enough to melt most of the algae as well as mineral buildup that can clog your AC drain pipe. Leave the vinegar for 30 minutes before trying another water flush. If you have a powerful wet vac, you have a third option for DIY AC clog management. You can also try to suck the clog out. Create a seal with the wet vac hose attachment and the far end of the AC drain pipe. Then turn on the vac and let it use suction power to clear out the line. If the suction is strong enough, it can grab hold of the clogging mass and pull it out into the vacuum tank. Be prepared for an outflowing of water if or when the clog is cleared. Finally, if all the DIY drain maintenance tricks didn’t work then it’s time to call the professionals. DIY goes as far as your tools and training can take you. From there, you may need to address more delicate problems inside the HVAC or more stubborn drain solutions inside the length of the pipe. For the HVAC services you need when you need them, contact us today!
There are two leading opinions about duct cleaning. One says you should clean ducts every year, the other says ducts should be left alone. Are ducts a harbor of hidden dust and pollen? Or are they a simple mechanical necessity of the HVAC system? Many will say that cleaning your ducts is a waste of time and money, that they keep themselves clean and don’t need maintenance. But is it true? The answer, unsurprisingly, is unique to every home. Your home’s air pollution, filter quality, and the unique airflow from room to room will also determine the state of your ducts. Some homes need duct cleaning once every few years at most, some benefit from duct cleaning every year. So is duct cleaning a waste of money? It depends on how dirty your ducts are So why doesn’t the filter keep all the dust out of your ducts? The answer is that no system is perfect. First, some amount of dust can get in through the vents, especially when the blowers are off. Second, most filters aren’t the highest possible quality of particle-stopping fabric. Some dust motes and pollen spores get through. Many HVAC systems have gaps in the ductwork, allowing outside air in. You may also have an air/heat exchanger that pulls air in from the outside — often near the roof. And how often do you change that filter? If your intake air filter gets old, more dust and pollen can get into the system this way. In other words, air quality can be maintained with regular clean filters and duct repair maintenance, but usually, dust and pollen get into the system over time. The only question is how quickly. Inside your ducts is evidence of your HVAC system’s internal cleanliness. It’s true that a perfect system would only push fully purified air through the ducts and therefore the ducts could not get dirty.

Dusty Duct Corners

A certain amount of dust runs through every home system. Over time, that dust builds up inside the ducts and on the vent registers. It puffs out each time the blowers kick on and re-spreads dust when the fan pulls from the dust piles in the duct corners. When dust is being ejected from your ducts, you probably need duct cleaning.

Off-Season Allergens

Sneezing when the AC comes on is another clear sign you need duct cleaning. Old spores from seasons past can get stuck inside your ducts and then shake loose when the blower pushes new air through. If you’re getting at-home hay fever during the wrong season, dusty ducts are your primary culprit. Old pollen can hide and haunt your nose seasons later.

Mold Growth

One of the biggest risks is mold growing in the ducts. Unsealed or insulation ducts can become damp and harbor colonies of mold which circulate spores throughout the home’s vents. If this happens, duct cleaning becomes vital to family health and no longer optional. When getting your ducts cleaned, don’t forget the vent registers. These should be wiped down fully and polished to a gleam. Vent registers also collect a lot of dust that re-distributes when you turn on the AC or heat to cycle through the house. In homes with new or recently cleaned ducts, there’s no need to clean before the dust builds up. In this way, your friends are right about avoiding a pointless task. But if there’s dust and pollen emitting back into your home with each air circulation, your ducts may be the issue. Once every year to five years, depending on your house is the right pace for duct cleaning. Do your ducts need to be sealed and swept clear of all old dusty allergens? We’re here to help!
You might not realize this, but air conditioners freeze up. This is actually a common issue for both business and home AC owners. And, you might think having your AC freeze up would mean it produces more cold air, but this simply isn’t true. Your air conditioner’s main components work simultaneously to provide you with summer-long comfortable temperatures. These components include: Your air conditioning unit works through a refined control of airflow, temperature, and pressure. If one or more of these fall out of balance, your refrigerant system that’s responsible for creating the cold air, could freeze up, without cooling the air more. If your air conditioner freezes up, it will either blow cool/warm air or won’t blow any air at all. Some reasons why you might have a problem with your air conditioner freezing up are: When your AC struggles from poor airflow, its evaporator coil becomes too cold and freezes. This is because the evaporator coil in your AC is really a group of refrigerant coils. As the chemical refrigerant passes through, it reaches low 10 to 20 °F temperatures. Now, unconditioned, warm air will pass over the coils during normal operation. Your household’s existing warm air prevents frost or ice formation. But, if your home lacks warm airflow across the evaporator coils, then they’ll ice over and the ice can travel along the refrigerant lines. If your air conditioner freezes, you’ll notice frost buildup on the copper coming out of your unit. In some cases, this build-up of frost could be so bad it causes a full block of ice. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to solve this problem. Below are five things you can do if your home AC freezes up 1. Assess the Vent Filters You’ll want to take a peek at the vent filters to see if there’s an obstruction that restricts airflow. If your AC’s filters are dirty, it could lead to your system freezing up. If the filters look discolored or dirty, change them and check to see if this fixes the issue. 2. Check Coolant Levels If the coolant levels are low, it could impact your air conditioner’s pressure and cooling efficiency. This can cause your AC to freeze up. You can purchase a coolant installation kit from your local home improvement store to check on your AC’s refrigerant levels, but if you suspect your system is leaking refrigerant, it’s important you contact a professional HVAC technician to come take a look and repair the leak if necessary. 3. Thaw it Out Turn your air conditioner off at the breaker and allow it to thaw. Take note, it might take an entire day to totally thaw out the ice. So, you’ll want to choose a day when you know you’re not going to be home. You’ll want to consider your pets too as your home could get very warm with no AC running and this could get very uncomfortable for them. If you can’t get away from your home and you need to thaw the unit out, you can still keep the air conditioner off, but run the blower. It’s important you don’t use your air conditioner when the coils are frozen. If you run your air conditioner with frozen evaporator coils, it can strain your AC’s compressor. This is the most costly component in your AC system. This strain can damage this costly part, setting you back with an unexpected expense. Also, don’t be tempted to break the ice up with a sharp tool. This could easily cause damage to the components and create new issues. 4. Dry the Evaporator Coils After the ice thaws, you’ll want to dry the coils. Restore the power of your AC unit and turn the blower on, setting the thermostat to only run the fan or blower. Doing this will circulate the air through and around the coils, drying them quickly. After the coils are dry, you should be able to run your system normally. 5. Turn the AC Back On After you allow your air conditioner to thaw for a reasonable amount of time, you can turn the thermostat back to “cool.” If you notice the air coming out of the system is cooler than the air in the room, you’re all set and your AC is running properly. It’s always a good idea to call a professional HVAC technician and inform them of this issue, even if you fix it yourself, and have them come to your home to inspect your AC system. An AC freezing up, particularly if it occurs repeatedly, could be a sign of another issue.  The sooner you can catch bigger problems, the better it will be for your home and your wallet! If you’re having problems with your AC freezing up, you suspect a different issue or you’re simply looking to set an appointment for routine maintenance, Larry’s Heating & Cooling has your back. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to ensure your air conditioning system is running properly to keep your home comfortable this summer. Our AC repair company serves those in Yankton, Vermillion, and the nearby communities.