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.
Why Choose Us?
May 10th, 2023Check Out Our Blog for Advice on All Things HVAC
May 10th, 2023Be 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.
Welcome to Our New Website
May 10th, 2023Welcome to our new and improved website! We’re dedicated to serving our customers and we hope that this spiffy new site will make it easier for you to find information about us in addition to learning about all the HVAC services we provide. We decided we needed a website that reflects our top-notch services and lets you know what you can expect when you hire us for a job.
We’ve also added a blog that’ll provide helpful information to Lansing, MI homeowners. From tips on how to get the best performance from your air conditioner to signs that your heating system needs repairs, it’s all there. Be sure to bookmark our new site so you can find us quickly when you need expert, reliable HVAC services.
To learn more about how iMarket Solutions, the company behind our new website, can expand your presence on the web, visit www.imarketsolutions.com.
Rely on A-1 Mechanical to bring you relief when you need it most. “Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.”
Using and Maintaining Your Heat Pump
April 11th, 2023How 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.
How to Save on AC Installation This Summer
March 11th, 2023
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
What Are the Advantages of a Ductless Mini Split for Heating?
February 11th, 2023
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.
What Are the Best Thermostat Settings for Winter?
January 11th, 2023
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.
Do I Need a Programmable Thermostat?
November 3rd, 2022What Is a Programmable Thermostat?
A programmable thermostat is a thermostat that can be set to automatically adjust your home’s heating and cooling systems according to a schedule. For example, during the winter, you could set a programmable thermostat to maintain your temperature at 70 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. This would allow you to save energy and money by only heating or cooling your home when needed.
Benefits of Installing a Programmable Thermostat
While almost every home already has a thermostat installed, switching to a programmable thermostat comes with various benefits. From improved comfort to lower utility bills, homeowners all over the country are upgrading to programmable thermostats.
Why Is My Heating Bill So High?
October 14th, 2022Why at Causes a High Heating Bill?
A sudden rise in your monthly energy costs can be caused by a number of reasons. The most common causes that lead to unexpectedly high heating bills are:
- Colder outdoor temperatures than what’s typical for the area
- Lack of heating system maintenance
- Air leaks in the home
- Poor insulation
- Dirty furnace filters
Top Ways to Lower Heating Bills
These energy-saving strategies help homeowners improve home energy efficiency to lower heating bills.
Schedule a Preventative Maintenance Tune-Up
Ideally, before the busy heating season arrives, schedule a preventive maintenance tune-up for your Lansing or Grand Rapids heating system in the fall. Gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps – no matter your heating system type, a maintenance tune-up helps the system function more efficiently throughout the season.
Seal Ducts
The average Lansing and Grand Rapids area home loses 20 to 30 percent of its heated air through duct leaks. Damage, gaps, loose fittings, and disconnected sections allow heated air to escape before it reaches your rooms while letting chilly air into the ducts.
Because of this loss, the heating system compensates by expending more energy to replace the heat lost. This extra heat production uses 20 to 30 percent more energy. Duct repair eliminates these costly leaks to lower your heating and cooling costs significantly.
Seal Air Leaks
An issue that homeowners often overlook is the amount of air they lose through air leaks. Heated air is also able to escape through other areas of the home, such as:
- Windows and doors that don’t shut tightly
- Gaps and cracks around window frames and door jambs
- Vent, piping, or wiring holes through exterior walls
- Uninsulated or under-insulated attics, basements, and crawl spaces
To reduce heat loss, air leak sealing is a must. Add weatherstripping to all exterior doorways. Seal windows and door frames both indoors and out. Seal around the exterior wall penetrations outdoors as well as on the interior of the wall. This will help your home to keep in its heated air and help keep your monthly energy bill down.
Improve Insulation
Heating and cooling your home can be a significant expense, particularly if your home is not well insulated. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their homes are not as energy efficient as they could be. Older homes are especially prone to this problem, as they were often built before modern insulation standards were put in place.
As a result, upgrading your insulation can be a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, and lower your monthly electric bills and heating costs. In addition, proper insulation can help to reduce noise levels and create a more comfortable living environment.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
We’ve met many homeowners who bought a smart thermostat at a big box store and found it doesn’t work well with their existing system. For example, do you have a single-speed or variable-speed system? It makes a difference in which smart thermostat is best for your home and we can help you find the right one. The addition of a programmable thermostat can help bring your costs lower than the typical electric bill.
Curious about modern thermostats? Call us, and we’ll send a Comfort Consultant to your home. They will evaluate your current HVAC system, ask you about your energy goals, and recommend a thermostat.
Change Your Furnace Filter
Dirty furnace filters block the flow of air through your heating system. This forces the blower motor to expend more energy to pull air through the system and push heated air into your living areas.
Avoid this problem when you regularly replace your furnace filter. How often depends on the type of filter, heating usage, and other factors specific to your home. Most people get by with furnace filter changes every two to three months.
Upgrade Your Heating Unit
If you’re among the millions of Americans who’ve been hit hard by high heating bills this winter, you may be looking for ways to lower your costs. One option you may want to consider is installing a new furnace or heat pump. Though the initial investment may be higher than simply continuing to use your current system, new furnaces and heat pumps are much more energy efficient.
This means that they’ll use less fuel to produce the same amount of heat, resulting in lower monthly bills. Additionally, newer models are often able to better maintain a consistent temperature, which can also help to reduce costs.
Put an End to Expensive Heating Bills
If you’re wondering why is my heating bill so high, you’re not alone. Many homeowners struggle with high energy bills in the winter. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help lower your costs and make your home more comfortable.
Get in Contact with A-1 Mechanical Today
Contact us today for assistance making energy-saving improvements to your home. We’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your needs and helps you save money on your heating bill this winter.
What Is the Cost of a Ductless Heating and Cooling System?
June 22nd, 2022How Do Ductless Systems Work?
As their name suggests – ductless heating and cooling systems do not require ductwork to move air throughout your home. Instead of ductwork, mini-split systems use indoor air handling units. These devices are installed on the walls of rooms, allowing each room to be controlled separately from one another.
Any room with an air handler on the wall can create its own temperature “zone”; each “zone” is fully capable of its own temperature control. When paired with a heat pump,homeowners can heat and cool any room in their home separately from the rest. One ductless unit can accommodate several indoor units.
How Much Does a Ductless System Cost?
The total cost of a ductless HVAC unit can vary widely, and several factors need to be considered. Through our research, the cost can range anywhere from under $3,000 to over $8,000 per ductless system.
While that is a rather extensive range of prices, many variables can affect the price. Here are a few factors that need to be considered when determining the cost of a ductless heating and cooling system.
Manufacturer
Much like any other household appliance you buy, the brand of the unit itself will be a significant factor in the overall price. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we are proud to offer a full line of Carrier heat pumps and ductless systems, which are considered some of the most reputable HVAC products on the market.
Total Space
One of the most significant factors that can raise or lower the cost of a ductless system installed in your home is how much area you need to be covered and the square footage of your home. Installing a unit in just one room will be a vastly different cost than outfitting an entire house for heating and cooling. If you plan on using your ductless system for both heating and cooling, you will need an outdoor compressor/condenser in addition to the indoor unit in the rooms you want to be covered. This will add to the overall cost as well.
Energy Efficiency of the Unit
Many homeowners are switching to a ductless system for their energy-saving abilities. This does come with a cost. The higher the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), the more efficient the unit will be and the more expensive it will be.
Additional Fees
You also need to keep in mind any additional work the installation company may have to do. If you have an old HVAC system installed, it will take time and resources to have it completely removed from your home. While this typically will not be a significant charge, it can still affect the overall price and should be considered.
Benefits of a Ductless System
After seeing the various things that can affect the cost of a ductless mini-split system, you are probably wondering if you should make the switch. Ductless systems have a ton of benefits that homeowners love.
Some benefits of a ductless system include:
- Lower monthly energy bills from increased efficiency
- More eco-friendly
- Heating and cooling in one system (when installed with a heat pump)
- Easy and fast installation, when you work with the right team
- Improved indoor air quality
Contact A-1 Mechanical Today to Learn More!
If you are ready to make the switch and upgrade your home’s heating and cooling with a ductless system, ensure you are working with a team you can trust! We provide quality repair and installation services for all indoor and outdoor units.
At A-1 Mechanical, we pride ourselves on our high level of service and customer service. As the area’s leading authority on ductless systems, there is no better company to work with. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today!