What would you do without a working air conditioning system in your home this summer? The heat and humidity can be downright oppressive during the warm season, so making sure your AC is running efficiently is a crucial part of ensuring you and your family stay cool and dry. There’s no better way to avoid problems with your unit than regular maintenance — and although it can definitely be a pain, the alternative is enduring the misery of the summer climate. Need some tips on what maintenance is the most helpful? Here are a few tips that other homeowners have found helpful when it comes to avoiding air conditioner problems in Barrington, IL.

Regularly change or clean the filter on your unit.

Residue builds up constantly as your AC brings in air, and though the filter catches it, failing to clear it out can drastically reduce the appliance’s efficiency. The general rule of thumb is to change or clean the filter on your unit twice a year, once at the beginning of the cooling season and again at the beginning of the heating season — but doing this even more frequently can keep it at peak performance.

Check the condenser unit fan.

If you’re dealing with a central air system, be sure to turn it off and check the condenser unit fan every once in a while. Replace any cracked or chipped fan blades you see, and make sure the motor bearings are properly oiled.

Make sure the area around the unit is clean.

Since your air conditioning system is moving air around, it’s extremely important to make sure its space is free of things that could make it more difficult to do its job or contaminate the air with pollutants. For indoor units, make sure that the area is properly dusted and wiped down; for outdoor condenser units, clear the area of cut grass, dirt and other debris, and be sure to cover the unit with a tarp in the winter and on windy days.

A little regular maintenance, which doesn’t even have to take all that much time out of your day, can be the difference between staying cool and dry and experiencing some serious issues with your AC unit. Sometimes things go wrong anyway, of course — and in those cases, give Lake Cook a call. They’re the go-to AC specialists to help you with all your air conditioner problems in Barrington, IL.

By zachadmachinescom

Summer’s here, and if you need AC installation in Lake Zurich, IL, then you have to be alert for scammers. It’s an unfortunate truth that while there are many honest, reliable, and accomplished HVAC specialists out there, there are also those who will do anything to pad the bill and empty your wallet.

Tips for Avoiding Scams on AC Installation in Lake Zurich, IL

Now you know there are scammers out there, how can you recognize them? Keep the following tips in mind:

• Do your homework. No matter if a contractor is recommended to you or if you find the company online, take some time to do your research. Read customer reviews and check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints. Even if you find a contractor that looks okay, call them and ask for references. Any company that is trustworthy and cares about its customers will be happy to connect you with other customers.
• Always get an itemized quote up front. This will serve as a check list for services rendered. A scammer will be unwilling to give you an itemized quote and will prefer to give you a ballpark figure, which can increase because “your AC needed more work.”
• Get quotes from at least three contractors. Compare the quotes. Though there will be some differences, for the same service, the price shouldn’t vary too much. Anyone who’s charging much more or far less is probably not very reliable.
• Make sure the AC is working properly before the contractor leaves. A reliable contractor will stay until he or she is certain the appliance is working properly and you understand how to operate it. A scammer might tell you to wait for a couple of hours before turning on the AC, or he might leave parts behind without explaining why.

Call Lake Cook for AC Installation in Lake Zurich, IL

For top-rated, cost-effective AC installation, call Lake Cook. We’re committed to providing our customers with outstanding service at all times—and we’re happy to answer all your questions!

By zachadmachinescom

Labor Day weekend is approaching. It’s generally considered the unofficial end of the summer, but that doesn’t mean the temperatures will automatically cool down. We still have a few weeks of hot weather ahead of us and you need to make sure your AC is ready to handle it. However, there is a good chance your AC is starting to weaken after a long summer protecting you from the heat, meaning it risks breaking down during the last few days of the season. It also means you won’t have a reliable AC for next summer either.

If you want to avoid either of these two scenarios, you should call Lake Cook for an AC tune-up in Barrington, IL before the summer of 2016 waves goodbye. Our technicians are available throughout the remainder of the season to provide you with high-quality tune-up service that will ensure you have a steady flow of cool air. If you’re hosting people over the house for a Labor Day celebration, you will definitely want to call us to ensure your guests are kept comfortable.

AC Tune-Up in Barrington, IL: Why Call Now?

You may just want to pack your AC up once the summer ends and not think about it for another seven months, but calling for a tune-up before you do that can provide you:

• Extended AC Lifespan: Why settle for having cool air just for the remainder of this summer when you can get a tune-up from Lake Cook providing you with cool air for many summers? As part of our service, we closely examine your system to identify and repair any problems in their earliest stages. That means your AC will be able to work for a longer period of time without experiencing a breakdown.
• Money Saved on Repairs: Once you enlist Lake Cook to perform a tune-up, you are guaranteeing that you save money any future repairs. Nobody likes having to spend more on repair service than necessary, so you’ll enjoy long-term savings knowing any problems with your cooling systems were stopped in their earliest stages.
• Improved Efficiency: A faulty AC will work even harder to produce cool air, resulting in higher costs on your energy bills. Fortunately, thanks to our service, you’ll enjoy high-quality cool air without any additional energy costs. You’ll be able to bask in the cool air without worrying over how much it will take out of your wallet.

Contact Lake Cook today if you need an AC tune-up in Barrington, IL that will ensure you save money and keep the cool air flowing in your home!

By zachadmachinescom

Air conditioning replacement in Glenview, IL is an inevitable part of owning a home, but it doesn’t have to be a painstaking process. It’s entirely possible to land that perfect air conditioning system. All it takes is careful consideration on your end. However, some homeowners don’t believe in the idea of being careful at all, which only leads them to spending money on the wrong system. Hastiness can only lead to you having an air conditioning system marked by poor efficiency, frequent breakdowns, and simply not enough cool air. Really, who wants that?

The team at Lake Cook certainly doesn’t, which is why we’re more than willing to help you along with your next air conditioning replacement in Glenview, IL. Even when you don’t think you’ll manage to find the right system for you, we can make sure your doubts and fears are proven false. With us, you’re bound to keep cool!

Air Conditioning Replacement in Glenview, IL: What Should You Know?

Before you go right ahead and replace that old air conditioning system, please take a moment to consider:

• Sizing: The last thing you want is to gear all of your savings toward the wrong sized system. Your HVAC technician should inspect your home first before any replacement work to determine what size of cooling system would be appropriate. Your home’s layout may have changed since the last time you replaced your air conditioning, which can factor in to what size of system you decide to purchase.
• Cooling Needs: In addition to the layout of your home, your cooling needs may have also changed since the last time you sought replacement. Some rooms of your home may need more cool air than others. If the number of occupants in your home has increased, you need to consider their cooling needs as well.
• Energy Efficiency: Okay, a steady flow of cool air is great, but how much will it save you on energy bills? There are several highly efficient air conditioning systems out there on the market today guaranteed to provide you with a high level of cooling without any of the high energy costs. A high Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is needed to ensure longer-lasting, highly-efficient performance.
• Location: So you’ve got the air conditioning, but where are you going to put it? Well, in that case, you need to carefully consider how location can influence your air conditioning’s performance. A sunnier location will only force the system to work even harder to produce cool air and increase energy consumption.

Contact Lake Cook today if you need air conditioning replacement in Glenview, IL that will guarantee an improved level of comfort in your home.

By zachadmachinescom

With temperatures outdoors currently hovering around 90 degrees, you need to make sure you have the best air conditioning system in Highland Park, IL for maximum comfort. You seriously can’t fool around with home comfort at a time like this, especially with the well-being of your family in mind.  Many homeowners will continue with their troublesome air conditioning system for the entire summer, leaving them paying plenty of money on repair. But why spend more money than necessary on repair when you can install a system that guarantees you won’t worry about home cooling at all?

Lake Cook is here to help you find the best air conditioning system in Highland Park so you’re not spending the entire summer in a state of discomfort. We want to see all of our customers with comforting cool air that will keep them relaxed all season long. Our cooling experts will gladly work with you in finding the right system for your home so you’ll have a steady flow of cool air in your home not only just for this summer, but for many summers ahead!

Helpful Tips for Finding the Best Air Conditioning System in Highland Park, IL

You need to make sure you don’t get stuck with the wrong system. Get the perfect air conditioning by doing the following:

• Conduct online research. You’ll be able to compare and contrast different brands of air conditioning, especially on sites with customer reviews. You can also look up the website of your chosen service company to see if they provide the brand of air conditioning you would want installed in your home.
• Make sure to check the air conditioning’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) to determine its overall level of energy efficiency. Modern air conditioning should have a SEER between 13 and 23 for high-quality, longer-lasting performance that won’t cost you too much on energy bills.
• In addition to ensuring you have the best air conditioning system, you need to ensure you have licensed professional on the job. Some handymen out there may know basic installation, but they aren’t licensed and are more likely to make mistakes. Even if you do find the perfect air conditioning for your home, improper installation can prevent it from working at its best.
• Conduct measurements. It’s highly important that a licensed technician conduct measurements in your home to determine what size of cooling system would be perfect for your home. Installing an improperly sized air conditioning system may result in poor efficiency and frequent breakdowns. In other words, you’ll lose a huge amount of money.

Contact Lake Cook today if you want to learn more on how to find the best air conditioning system in Highland Park, IL!

By zachadmachinescom

You need to rely on your air conditioning more than ever, but it can come at the cost of your energy consumption. A high level of cooling in your home may result in high energy costs that will put a strain on your savings. Even if the temperatures outside right now are at their peak, you need to strike a balance between effectiveness and efficiency with your home cooling. But how? How can you possibly save money without sacrificing cooling? The answer is with air conditioning maintenance in Lake Zurich, IL.

If you have yet to call to have your air conditioning maintained this season, now is the time to call Lake Cook for service. We have technicians who can maintain your system to help extend its lifespan and save you money on energy bills. We want to see all of our customer’s experience a high level of cooling this summer without worrying about how much it will cost them on bills. Thanks to our professional maintenance, you’ll spend more time keeping cool and comfortable.

Helpful Tips for Air Conditioning Maintenance in Lake Zurich, IL

Don’t want your summer ruined by energy bills? Probably not. That’s why, in addition to our services, you should take action in ensuring your air conditioning energy-consumption is at an all-time low, including:

1. When you’re not home to enjoy your air conditioning, dial down your thermostat by a few degrees. Not only will this prevent your air conditioning from working so hard to produce an unnecessary amount of cool air, it also saves you so much more on energy bills.
2. Install your air conditioning in a shadier area of your home where there is less air to cool. Air conditioning directly exposed to sunlight will work even harder to produce cool air and increase energy costs.
3. Clean or replace air conditioning filters regularly. Dirty or clogged filters can block air flow. Filters should be replaced regularly to ensure a constantly high level of efficiency.
4. Before the summer begins, weatherize your home by sealing any air leaks in attics or crawls spaces. Air leaks can lose up to 30% of the cool air that could be otherwise used for other purposes, meaning you’ll pay for cool air you’re not even receiving.
5. Call for professional maintenance at least once a year. A professional will be able to make any repairs and fix problems in their earliest stages that would grow into something that could impact your system’s efficiency for the worst.

Contact Lake Cook today if you need to improve air conditioning maintenance in Lake Zurich, IL for more effective and efficient cooling.

By zachadmachinescom