HVAC & Plumbing Blog by DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Should You Sign up for a Maintenance Program This Year?

October 5th, 2020

two-technicians-working-on-an-air-conditioner

Temperatures are starting to cool! True, it’s not going to start snowing tomorrow or anything, but this does mean that it’s almost time to give our air conditioners some reprieve in favor of our heating systems.

We have a question for you though–did you have your air conditioner maintained last spring? Make that two questions–have you scheduled your heating maintenance yet?

Routine maintenance is essential if you want HVAC systems that operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. This means getting a tune-up at least once a year each for your air conditioner and heater. And if you have a heat pump system? You should get a tune up every 6 months.

If you’re worried about remembering to actually schedule these maintenance sessions? Worry no more! Enroll in a maintenance program and we’ll do the remembering for you.

How You Can Avoid Clogged Drains

September 21st, 2020

If someone were to ask you what the number one plumbing problem homeowners face is, what would you say? We would say clogged drains. That is certainly what we get called for the most!

Of course, you might be wondering why we get called for this—can’t you just use some store-bought chemical drain cleaners and call it a day?

Well, you could, but you will regret it. Sure, it may eat through whatever is clogging your drain, but it doesn’t remove the clog nor is it that great for your plumbing pipes, either! In fact, it will build up on the lining of your pipes and over time, eat through them. But while store-bought drain cleaners aren’t the answer, you can avoid clogged drains to begin with! Read on to learn how.

Beware This Common AC Problem

September 7th, 2020

Have you been told by a general handyperson that the refrigerant in your air conditioner is low, and that it needs to be refilled? Perhaps they told you that it needs to be refilled —what we in the industry call recharged every year during AC maintenance.

Unfortunately, this is a little misleading. Yes, refrigerant leaks and problems are something we check for during your annual maintenance appointment. But refrigerant should not actually be leaving your system on a regular basis. In fact, your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant during installation to ideally last its entire lifespan, theoretically.

While refrigerant loss is a relatively common AC problem, that does not make it “normal” or a problem you can delay fixing. Read on as we uncover how you can tell if your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant, and why this is such a problem!

Is It Ever Okay to See Ice On Your AC?

August 24th, 2020

The short answer to this is “no,” but don’t worry, we will elaborate.

We do understand, after all, why this misconception exists. Since it is an air conditioner’s job to cool the home, it makes sense that ice may be part of the cooling process. But on the contrary, cooling systems don’t use ice at all, and this isn’t an effective way to cool your home.

So then, why is ice forming on your air conditioner? And what can you do about it? Read on as we dive into this.

AC Myths to Ignore

August 10th, 2020

woman-with-confused-expression-on-her-face

There are some pretty common AC myths out there—are you believing them? And does it matter?

As for the latter question, yes, it matters. It matters because believing these myths could lead you to use your air conditioner inefficiently. When you use your cooling system inefficiently, you pay more than you should have to in order to keep cool and comfortable in your own home. You don’t want that, right?

Well then read on as we uncover just a few of the most common AC myths out there.

Can Drain Clogs Be Prevented?

July 27th, 2020

If there’s anything that’s more frustrating than a drain clog that stops whatever you’re doing–whether it’s taking a shower, cleaning up after cooking, or even trying to use your sprinkler system outside–we’re not sure what it is!

But it’s pretty much inevitable that every homeowner will deal with a drain clog at some point–unless of course, they take preventive measures to avoid them! But what are these measures exactly? Read on to find out!

4 Tips to Save Money and Energy on Water Heater Use

July 13th, 2020

When you think about everything you have to do to maintain a clean, comfortable, and efficient home, you probably don’t think much about your water heater—even though this system is one you use every single day, no matter the time of year. The fact is, you could potentially waste a lot of energy by not properly caring for your water heater, no matter what type you have. The good news is, we’re here with some tips on how to actually save energy—and subsequently, money—on your water heater use! Read on as we uncover some of our top tips.

Frequently Asked Air Conditioning Questions and Their Answers

June 29th, 2020

AC maintenance checklist on top of a residential air conditioning unit outdoors.

Air conditioners are complex pieces of machinery, and it’s natural to have questions about them. Probably the most common question HVAC professionals get about air conditioners is “how much will my AC installation cost?” The short answer to this question is “it depends.”

It depends on the type of air conditioner, the conditions of your home and your current ductwork if you have any, and it depends on your budget, when it comes down to it. While we can’t give you a clear-cut answer to this particular question, there are others that we can directly address. Read on!

Drain Cleaning Tips from the Pros

June 15th, 2020

The number one tip we will always share when it comes to drain cleaning is, “don’t use chemical store-bought drain cleaner!” It’s never a good idea.

Look, we get it, a clogged drain is one of those problems that you expect you can resolve easily. Just pour some liquid down there and voila! The clog is gone. But that’s not quite how it works. Clogs can be insidious in the sense that even though you can get rid of them for a while, they just come back. That is, if you aren’t using the right drain cleaning practices.

When you hear the term “plumbing problem” you probably think of water flooding the floors, or a persistent drip coming from one of your faucets that you just can’t seem to repair. These are, of course, certainly worth a call to a plumber in their own right, but so too is a clogged or backed up drain.

What Type of Air Conditioning Is Best for Your Home?

June 1st, 2020

With summer right around the corner and temperatures already considerably warming up, it can be nerve-wracking to be in need of an air conditioner replacement. But if your AC isn’t performing as it used to or has broken down completely, you don’t really have a choice.

This is a big investment and we know it’s not one that comes easy, but we really do have to urge you to consider your options and who you’re working with for the job, rather than rushing into a purchase that might not be the best choice for your particular home.

If you’re on the fence about replacing your air conditioner or not sure what system is even the best for your home, we encourage you to read on!