As the colder months slowly move in, most homeowners begin to worry whether their heating unit will get the family through the season. It’s best to go ahead and make arrangements now to have your heating unit checked and upgraded to a new system if needed. Everyone knows a warm home is essential to make it through cold and freezing temperatures, and the only way to do that is with a properly working unit. The key to keeping a properly operating heating system year-round is to catch and resolve small problems before they become big ones. Here are three warning signs to help you recognize it’s time for a home heating unit.

Aged Home Heating Unit/Loud Noises

It’s easy to hold on to something old, especially when there’s a need to save money. Old heating units often cost a lot to repair, and sometimes it’s just best to just give in and purchase a new one. With the winter months approaching, and flu season in full force, staying warm will be a big part of staying healthy as well. As home heating units age, their parts begin to weaken, resulting in hardware damage. It is recommended that old units 10 years and over be replaced.

Have you been noticing unusual loud noises in your heating unit? The noises might give a whole new meaning to “a bump in the night.” These aggravating noises often sound like a constant popping noise which is usually the parts being damaged while operating, or a rattling noise, caused by loose ducts or equipment. You might even hear sounds that start low and get louder over time. All this is a sure indicator a new heating system is needed.

Uncontrolled Temperatures

Test your rooms’ temperature. Does the temperature feel equally warm in each area? If not, this is also a sign that the unit is getting old and working less efficiently. When aging heating units reach around 15 years old, the ability to distribute heat evenly is lost. There is no need to keep moving your thermostat up and down, as it will not help the temperatures become even. It is time to start thinking about purchasing a new heating unit. You might have even noticed your energy bill running extremely high from month to month. No one wants an unpredictable energy bill showing up; it’s difficult to plan other household spending around it. Your bill shouldn’t fluctuate without you knowing why.

Constantly Paying Repair Costs

At some point, it’s best to go ahead and put out the extra money to get a new system. If you notice that you are putting out more money each year instead of staying warm, it’s time to consider upgrading your system. Heating bills often run high due to the continuous adjustment of the thermostat or the heating unit working improperly. There are ways that you can cut your energy bill and save money. Make sure you are getting your heating unit maintenance every year.

Find Out if You Need Furnace Replacement in Yankton, SD!

To help with the maintenance of your home heating unit, hire a professional technician within your area. Addressing issues right away helps you save not just the life of your unit but also money better spent elsewhere. Remember, heating systems over 10 years of age are usually best replaced as opposed to repairing their parts. There is no need to pay money for a unit that is not worth the repair cost. Instead, purchase a new heating unit that will get you through another 10 plus years. Finally, remember to schedule maintenance appointments well in advance — most HVAC companies get very busy during the winter months. To find out more about replacing your furnace or heating unit, contact us today!

The warmest months of the year are just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about AC installation. If you’re like most people, though, you’re not sure what happens during an AC installation, or how best to prepare for one. Luckily, our team knows a thing or two about both, and we’re here to share our top tips with you!

The 3 Types of AC Systems

You don’t have to be an HVAC expert to choose the right HVAC system for your home. When you get familiar with each system available on the market, it’s easier than ever to pick the best system for your home.

1. Traditional Split Systems

Traditional split AC units are the most common types of AC systems in homes today. Featuring an outdoor unit installed on a cement pad next to an exterior unit, a traditional split system includes an interior unit on the adjacent wall. To cool the house, the system distributes the cold air through large ducts that run throughout the home.

2. Ductless Mini-Splits

Sounds like an ice cream order, doesn’t it? It’s not! Instead, it’s a super-efficient AC system. Featuring individual evaporator and fan units, this system allows the various units (installed in each room of a home) to operate independently. This, in turn, enables you to control each room’s temperature accurately and keep your operating costs down..

3. Geothermal Systems

These unique systems cycle fluid, such as refrigerant or water, through a system’s underground loops. It can provide both heating and cooling simply by reversing its direction. While most people don’t even realize these systems exist, they’re an excellent choice for some customers, especially those looking for a heating and cooling system that’s environmentally-friendly.

How Should You Prepare for Your AC Installation?

Now that you know the different HVAC systems available, let’s talk about how to prepare for the unit’s installation. Here are a few steps to take before your AC contractor arrives:

Prep your ductwork. No AC contractor will install an AC unit if your ductwork is backed up with dirt and grime. Make sure to have your ducts cleaned, aired, and checked before the installation process begins.
Make plenty of room. Make sure your contractor has room to work by cleaning out any clutter and obstacles before they arrive. This ensures a speedy installation and helps keep the contractor safe by removing tripping hazards. If you have children or pets, be sure to create a path that’s free of toys, bones, and anything else that could get in their way. This makes it easier for the contractor to move your system to its final location. Bonus points for measuring your new system to make sure it will fit your space!
Double-check your system. Once your new system arrives, double-check it to make sure it’s the one you wanted, and the system you ordered. This is a simple tip, but it helps prevent trouble down the road. Most people don’t take the time to get to know their system, and this can cause issues later if you ordered one system and got an entirely different one installed. Proactivity is key here.

Choosing a Yankton, SD AC Company You Can Trust

Your home is your sanctuary, and a big investment on top of that. We know how important it is to work with a qualified heating and cooling company that will provide you with great work at a great price. If you need AC installation for your home in Yankton, SD or a surrounding community, get in touch with our team today to learn more or schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to help you pick out a system and install it so you and your family can stay comfortable all summer long!

If you live in an older home, you’re probably used to a dial or slider analog thermostat. While these can technically still “get the job done,” they won’t give you the benefits of new and improved programmable thermostats, which are digital and offer so much more in the way of heating and cooling for your home. If the thought of change overwhelms you, you’re not alone. Many homeowners just like you are nervous about switching to a new thermostat! Once they do, though, they’re glad they did, and most wonder why they waited so long!

Not only are programmable thermostats a great way to make your space more comfortable, but they’re an easy way to lower your heating and cooling bills, too.

Here’s what you need to know about this simple upgrade!

How Programmable Thermostats Work

Standard thermostats are pretty simple — you turn the temperature up or down on the control panel and the system adjusts. Programmable thermostats, however, are a bit different. Instead of always adjusting these thermostats manually, you can program them to adjust the temperature at different times of the day. For example, the thermostat will warm the house just before you get home in the winter, and cool it down before you go to bed in the summer.

Programmable thermostats are easy to program, install, and use. You can even do it yourself pretty easily!

Why Install a Programmable Thermostat?

In addition to simplicity, programmable thermostats have a variety of benefits. Here are a few reasons our AC company likes to recommend them.

1. Efficiency

The truth is that your HVAC settings don’t need to be the same all day long. Even the newest homes with state-of-the-art insulation fluctuate in temperature throughout the day, according to the sun, the external environment, and the internal activities. If you program your thermostat to adjust to those natural changes, you can save a lot of money and energy. The average household saves up to 1% of their energy bill for every degree the thermostat is set down or up, depending on the season, for a given eight-hour period. That’s some serious savings over a few years!

2. Accessibility

While programmable thermostats may sound complicated, they’re actually very easy to use once you get the hang of it. And since they’re compatible with both new and older heating equipment, they can be installed in virtually any home. Many new programmable thermostats also have corresponding phone applications so you can control the thermostat right from your phone, without ever getting up!

3. Comfort

A programmable thermostat adjusts your settings based on times you’re awake, asleep, or away, returning temperatures to the desired levels according to your schedule. This helps keep your home comfortable all year long, without a lot of extra effort on your part. Programmable thermostats adjust to your needs to help automate and streamline your home during each season of the year.

4. Flexibility

If you have a multi-level home, you’ll be glad to know that zoned thermostat systems offer maximum temperature control for your home’s various spaces. Set little-used rooms and floors to stay cooler while warming up your high-traffic areas during the winter, and vice-versa during the summer.

5. Learning ability

Some programmable thermostats can “learn” and adapt to your schedule. These are great for people with irregular schedules or those who often forget to adjust the settings on their programmable thermostats. Brands like Nest allow you to focus on energy savings and track your energy use in real-time, too.

These thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled and can be programmed remotely from your smartphone or computer. No more worrying whether you remembered to turn the heat down when you have one of these guys!

Ask Your AC Company About Programmable Thermostats

If you’re interested in saving money on your utility bill, ask your trusted local AC company about programmable thermostats. These simple devices are a great way to enjoy a more efficient, comfortable home without having to remember to adjust your thermostat each day. If you’re looking for information from an AC company in Yankton, SD, our team can recommend the best type of programmable thermostat for your family and help you get the equipment you need. Ready to learn more? Schedule an appointment with our team today! Our AC company services homes and businesses in Yankton, Vermillion, and the surrounding SD communities.

The cool weather has yet to arrive, and if you’re feeling the heat like us, your AC is still kicked into high gear. Sometimes, it can be hard to stay cool without going broke! Running your AC will cool your home down, of course, but it may also create quite the electric bill if you’re not careful. Luckily, there are ways to save on your AC costs without being forced to sweat it out. As an AC company working in Yankton, SD for nearly 40 years, we know a thing or two about this. So here are our best tips…

3 Ways to Save Money on Your AC

Whether your AC is a new unit or one you’ve had for a while, you can still find ways to save money while staying cool:

1. Seal your ducts.

Leaky ducts are a huge waste of energy. Not only do they let cold air escape before it ever reaches your home, but they make your unit work harder than it should, forcing you into early repairs and sometimes even a total unit replacement. With this in mind, make a point to regularly inspect your ducts for leaks. When you find them, repair the cracks with metal tape or mastic sealants. If you prefer, you can hire a professional AC company to repair and maintain your system for you. Some companies offer planned maintenance programs, which can help you identify and repair leaks before they become a significant issue for your home’s efficiency, saving you more money over time.

2. Use a programmable (or “smart”) thermostat.

When an AC unit is working well, it doesn’t have to run at full blast all the time to keep your home fresh. With this in mind, consider investing in a thermostat like the Nest. These thermostats give you a way to adjust the temperature based on your daily schedule. For example, you can keep your home warmer when you’re gone for the day and cooler at night when you’re home. In addition to saving you major bucks on your energy bill, these thermostats are also a good way to make your home more energy-efficient overall.

3. Make your home cool during the day.

Waking up to the morning sun is refreshing, but it can also cause your home to accumulate excess heat that never seems to dissipate during the day. To help your AC keep things cool, protect your home against excess sunlight and heat. When it’s hot out, pull the shades and close the windows during the day, and save heat-generating activities (like running the dishwasher or clothes dryer) for the evening, when temperatures have dipped. You might also consider grilling outside rather than running the oven or stove and keeping sliding glass doors closed whenever you’re not going in or out. These are simple changes, but they’ll go a long way toward making your home cooler and more efficient!

Bonus: Use a ceiling fan.

Ceiling fans seem like simple things, but they’re an excellent way to keep air circulating through the home and make your home’s rooms more comfortable to be in. Plus, they’re less expensive to run than your air conditioner. For best results, use your ceiling fan in conjunction with your AC. This combination will disperse cooled air more efficiently and help you increase your home’s thermostat temperature without feeling uncomfortable.

Cooling Tips from Our AC Company in Yankton, SD

We know that sometimes, it’s hard to beat the heat! When you want to keep cool but don’t want to pay the price, consider these simple AC hacks to help you stay comfortable and keep your electric bill from breaking any records. If you need AC service or AC repair in Yankton, Vermillion, or a surrounding community, our AC company is here for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our team!

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your air ducts. Until, that is, something goes wrong. Luckily, one of the easiest ways to prevent air duct malfunctions is to hire a heating and air company in Yankton, SD, to clean them for you.

If you’re new to air duct maintenance, here are three compelling reasons to have them cleaned regularly.

1. Better air quality

When you take a deep breath in your home, you assume the air you’re inhaling is pure. But is it? The answer comes down to your air ducts. Your air ducts act as your first line of defense against environmental irritants like dust, dander, pollen, and other allergens. If they’re excessively dirty, they become too saturated to trap and retain these irritants.

This means they float around inside your home instead.

For people with allergies or sensitive respiratory conditions, this can wreak havoc on health and wellness. If you want to preserve the air quality in your home, regular air duct cleaning is the best way to do it.

2. A fresher-smelling home

Everybody wants a house that smells fresh and clean, but funk is just a fact of life. Whether you’ve got a stinky dog or a messy toddler, smells and odors happen. Luckily, having your air ducts cleaned is a great way to keep the stink at bay.

Clean air ducts work to trap unpleasant smells in your home just like they do environmental irritants. When they’re not saturated with dust and dander, they can keep the air in your home smelling fresh and welcoming for visitors and residents alike.

3. Improved HVAC efficiency

Nobody wants to pay an arm and a leg for an HVAC system that isn’t working as efficiently as it should. If you neglect air duct cleaning, though, this might be precisely what you’re doing. When your ductwork has a substantial buildup of dust and grime, it has to work extra-hard to perform the job.

When the air supply decreases even a little bit, your system has to work much harder to accomplish the same outcome a clean system could easily produce. Luckily, cleaning your air ducts is a great way to ensure their operating as efficiently as possible, giving you a system that does its job and saves you money.

Cleaning your heating and cooling system components can improve the efficiency of your system, resulting in an overall longer operating life, not to mention some energy and maintenance cost savings.

Don’t Wait — Contact the Air Duct Pros Today!

If your air ducts need some love, our team is here for you. At Larry’s Heating and Cooling, we specialize in helping local homeowners keep their space comfortable and clean.

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or are looking to have the air ducts on your existing home cleaned, our team provides professional, affordable services you can trust. So don’t live another day with dirty air ducts — give our team of HVAC professionals a call and enjoy enhanced indoor air quality.

Summer is coming, and warmer days are ahead, which means your family will be escaping the heat in the comfort of your home, where the air is cool. Schedule your air duct cleaning appointment in Yankton, SD or a surrounding community today so our heating and air company can get your home fresh and summer-ready!

3 Warning Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Home Heating Unit