Check Out Our Blog | Mike's Heating and Air in Albany, OR

How You Save Money When You Invest in a New Furnace

September 21, 2023

The initial price tag for a new HVAC system often scares homeowners from considering an early replacement. However, investing in a new system before your current one stops working entirely can dramatically lower your monthly costs. Here are a few ways you’ll save money when you install a modern system. Decreased Monthly Energy Bills Older systems can’t compete with the energy efficiency ratings of new models. Without regular maintenance, your current furnace will struggle to efficiently heat your home consistently. The harder your system must work, the longer it will stay on. This will increase energy

5 Tips to Ensure Your Furnace is Ready for Cold Weather

August 7, 2023

When the cold weather arrives, ensuring your furnace is ready for the change in season is important. Preparing your furnace beforehand saves you money on energy costs and helps ensure that your home stays warm all winter. Here are five tips to help you get ready for the colder months. 1. Change Your Furnace Filter A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder. This increases energy consumption and can shorten the lifespan of your system. Change your filter every three months during your routine heating maintenance or as the manufacturer recommends for optimum

Signs of a Failing HVAC Blower

July 21, 2023

HVAC systems have crucial components that help keep your home comfortable and energy efficient. One of these components is the blower motor, which circulates air through your home. If the blower motor goes bad, your home won’t be as comfortable, and your indoor air quality will deteriorate. Here are some signs that your blower motor might be going bad. Unusual Noises If you hear strange sounds from the furnace, such as squealing or grinding, it could indicate an issue with the blower motor. These sounds may be caused by worn-out bearings in the motor or debris

How To Deal With a Frozen AC System

June 21, 2023

When your home’s HVAC system freezes up amid the summer heat, it’s easy to panic and fear the worst. However, if you know what to do when your HVAC freezes in advance, it takes most of the stress out of the situation. To help, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deal with a frozen HVAC system. 1. Turn Off Your AC When your HVAC system freezes, leaving your AC turned on will only make the problem worse. The first thing you should do is turn off your AC. That will stop the flow of refrigerant

Discover Why the AC is Running but Not Cooling

May 10, 2023

There’s nothing more frustrating than discovering that your air conditioner is running but not cooling. This wastes money and energy and makes you uncomfortable. The following are a few reasons why this could be happening: Dirty Air Filters Clogged air filters keep your AC from cooling properly. You can change the air filters if you look at them and see that they are full of dirt and debris. Doing so will provide you with proper air flow through your cooling system. Clogged Coils Your air conditioning system has an outdoor condenser and

3 Different Central Air Conditioning Types

April 21, 2023

The first step in finding the right air conditioner for your Albany, OR home is knowing what your options are. All central air conditioners are either packaged units or split-system units. However, you also have the option of installing a heat pump for year-round heating and cooling. To make the most of your home’s ductwork, increase your indoor comfort, and maintain modest energy bills, read on to learn more about these central AC types. 1. Packaged Air Conditioners Although packaged air conditioners are frequently found in commercial buildings, there are a number of homes that have

Preparing Your AC System for Summer

March 16, 2023

You shouldn’t wait until summer starts to check on your air conditioner. If you schedule your maintenance early enough, you’ll have no problem taking care of any repairs without compromising your comfort. Here’s how to make sure your AC system is ready for summer. Remove Nearby Debris and Plants Start your AC care routine by clearing away any plants, branches, shrubbery or debris within a few feet of the external unit. Loose wood chips and twigs can get pulled inside and cause internal damage. They’ll also obstruct airflow, which will increase your summer energy

What is Variable Capacity Central AC?

February 19, 2023

A Guide to Variable-capacity Central Air Conditioners You have a few different options to choose from when installing a new central AC system or replacing your old unit, and this choice will have a major impact on how much energy your cooling system uses and your overall comfort. By far the best choice in terms of energy efficiency and comfort is a variable-capacity AC unit. While these units do cost more, the benefits that they provide can definitely make them worth the price. How Do Variable-capacity Central ACs Work? Most basic air conditioners are single-speed,

How To Improve Your Homes Indoor Air Quality

January 18, 2023

Improve the Indoor Air Quality in Your Home If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, there are many ways to improve air quality without a lot of hassle. Our team at Mike's Heating and Air compiled a list of tips for improving indoor air quality so you can see benefits in improved airflow, better utility bills, and a safer home. 1. Schedule Times to Change and Check Air Filters Changing the air filters in your house will give you the ability to have the cleanest airflow possible. Not only should you have

Can You Heat Your Garage With Your Furnace?

December 21, 2022

Whether you use your Albany home’s garage to store your car or your extra belongings, there’s no denying that a garage is handy to have. During cold Oregon winters, though, doing anything in your garage can be a burden. Since your furnace does a great job of heating your home, you may wonder if it can also heat your garage. Here are a few things you should know about effective garage heating from the HVAC pros at Mike's Heating and Air. Capacity Issues If you simply try to extend your furnace’s ductwork to your garage, you’re likely to run

Blog