A-1 Mechanical Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Signs of Common Furnace Issues and What’s Causing Them

Monday, October 23rd, 2023

Your furnace is essential to keeping your home warm and cozy during our uncomfortable, cold winters. When a furnace is working as it should, you’ll hardly even notice how well it’s doing its job. But when issues arise, your furnace will let you know almost immediately. From weak airflow to strange noises, furnace issues can be common this time of year.

As for what’s causing them, a lot of these issues will happen if you’ve neglected routine furnace maintenance. This essential service is an opportunity for our technicians to catch those issues that are brewing before they bubble over and become a major inconvenience.

Continue Reading

How to Prepare Your Furnace for Heating Season

Monday, September 25th, 2023

It’s officially fall and that means you’ll soon be making the change from using your air conditioner to using your furnace. Before you switch the heating system on for the first time, there are a few things you should do.

A few DIY maintenance tips along with scheduling a furnace check-up with one of our NATE-certified technicians will go a long way in making sure your furnace operates at peak performance this heating season. Let’s go over 5 essential things you should do before turning on your furnace for the first time.

Continue Reading

Why Fall Furnace Tune-Ups Are So Important

Monday, September 11th, 2023

Fall is right around the corner and with it comes many things. The kids go back to school, the days get shorter, the weather gets colder, and you transition from using your air conditioner to using your furnace. This period of transition is the one where every HVAC company strongly recommends getting furnace maintenance, us included.

A well-functioning furnace is essential for getting your family through the entire winter. And the absolute best way to ensure its proper functioning is to have it tuned up. That’s because during maintenance, our technicians will check for any issues that could become problematic if left unchecked. We’ll clean the furnace and perform a series of essential checks not only to ensure its functionality, but its safety as well. Let’s go over some of the benefits of scheduling furnace maintenance this fall. 

Continue Reading

Why Does My Furnace Make Loud Noises When It Turns Off?

Monday, August 28th, 2023

A common question we get from homeowners has to do with unusual furnace noises that occur both at startup and once a heating cycle is completed. Although some of these noises are normal and nothing to worry about, some can be quite serious and require immediate attention. 

Whether your furnace makes loud noises when turning off or makes a booming noise when it turns on, let’s go over the most common causes of these sounds. That way, you’ll know which ones are normal and which ones warrant a call for immediate repairs.

Continue Reading

Why Choose Us?

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

If there’s one thing we’d like you to know about us, it’s that we’ve been serving Lansing, MI, and the surrounding areas since 1981. With over 40 years of HVAC experience, we know the particular issues that Michigan homeowners face when it comes to heating and cooling their homes and their indoor air quality.

Continue Reading

Check Out Our Blog for Advice on All Things HVAC

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Be sure to bookmark the A-1 Mechanical blog to start learning the ins and outs of HVAC.

We’ll regularly post energy saving tips, how-to’s on troubleshooting your systems, and breakdowns on even the most complex industry related terms and concepts.

Need help now? Send us a message or get in touch today.

Continue Reading

Using and Maintaining Your Heat Pump

Tuesday, April 11th, 2023

How to Improve Your Heat Pump’s Efficiency

How to Improve Your Heat Pump's Efficiency

A-1 Mechanical is your local heating and cooling specialist in Lansing, Michigan, we help homeowners design systems for both hot summers and cold winters. Heat pumps provide cool air by circulating indoor air across very cold indoor coils. During the winter heat pumps condense outside air and circulate indoor air across hot indoor coils. Because Michigan winters become extremely cold, most homeowners use a heat pump for most of the winter and supplement warmth through a furnace on very cold days.

The goal of using your heat pump is to provide complete comfort while consuming the least amount of energy. Heat pumps are rising in popularity because they are driven completely by electricity. This means the heat pump does not create direct emissions and therefore, is considered renewable energy. When you work with a professional heat pump specialist from A-1 Mechanical you will discover the heat pump’s thermostat plays a large role in reducing energy bills.

Continue Reading

How to Save on AC Installation This Summer

Saturday, March 11th, 2023
Digital Thermostat

Many homeowners wait until an AC unit fails beyond repair. While A-1 Mechanical provides excellent air conditioning installation services even in emergencies, knowing the warning signs of a faltering air conditioning system is important to save money. If you notice cooling costs are rising, performance is wavering or you experience frequent breakdowns then you should begin to consider new air conditioners.

Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Replaced

As summer heat rises, older units can often show indications of failure. Beyond monitoring energy use be alert to these top signs your air conditioner is going to break:

  • Uneven temperatures throughout the home
  • Shutting down before the desired temperature is achieved as known as short cycling
  • Refrigerant leaks, frozen lines and odd noises from outdoor unit
  • Odd smells from vents when the air conditioner is running
  • Constantly running or blowing warm air
  • Unit is older than 10 years

Continue Reading

What Are the Advantages of a Ductless Mini Split for Heating?

Saturday, February 11th, 2023
Mini Split Air Conditioner

How do Ductless Mini-Splits Work?

Ductless mini split heat pumps are a great way to heat your home efficiently. They consist of an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and several indoor air handling units connected to the outdoor unit. The air is heated by the compressor and returned to the air handling unit to disperse into rooms.

Each room or area can contain an indoor air handling unit, which can be controlled separately from the others using a remote control. This makes it an ideal solution for homes with multiple rooms that may not need to be heated, allowing you to control where your heated air is being sent.

Not only is this system efficient, but it’s also convenient and easy to use. So if you’re looking for an excellent way to heat your home, consider a ductless mini split heat pump over a traditional heating system.

Continue Reading

What Are the Best Thermostat Settings for Winter?

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023
A woman adjusting a thermostat in her home

Ideal Thermostat Settings for Winter

As the weather gets colder, you may wonder what the best settings are for your home thermostat. After all, you want to stay comfortable without wasting energy on your heating system. A programmable thermostat is a fantastic way to bring convenience to your home’s heating system, however, they are not necessary.

Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect balance this winter. Of course, these are just general guidelines – you may need to adjust the settings based on your specific needs.

Continue Reading