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

The Power of Professional Air Sealing

September 23rd, 2019

Today’s homes are built with efficiency in mind!

What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that modern homes are sealed up tightly, not letting any heat out in the winter and not letting any heat in during the summer. Sounds like a good deal, right? It is a great deal, so long as your home is newer and doesn’t have any home performance problems.

Aging homes may be losing their air sealing in areas, and therefore causing heat transfer where there shouldn’t be. This means that your air conditioner may not be able to cool your home as efficiently as possible, and the same goes for your furnace or other heating system heating you in the winter.

The good news is, there’s something you can do about it—invest in professional air sealing services!

How to Best Protect Your Kitchen Sink

September 9th, 2019

Could you ever imagine living without your water heater? It’s one of those components to your plumbing system that’s impossible to think of going without. Another one is a fully functional kitchen sink. Many homes today have even one more component they can’t think about being without—their garbage disposal.

These components are all convenient, but if you’re not properly caring for them you could find yourself without them and with a huge repair bill to boot. Keep reading to learn how to best protect your kitchen sink to avoid costly and time-consuming plumbing repairs.

Is Ice Ever Normal to See on Your Cooling System?

August 26th, 2019

In a word, no.

While it may seem like ice should be a normal part of the cooling process, it simply is not. If you’ve discovered ice on the indoor unit of your air conditioner, then it’s time to figure out why. The good news is, this isn’t necessarily a major repair in all cases.

But it is one you should leave to the pros—trying to scrape off or thaw ice on your own could further damage the system, and it doesn’t resolve the problem that caused the ice to begin with.

A Noisy AC is a Suffering AC: What to Know

August 12th, 2019

Summer is progressing right along, and we’re all using our air conditioners on a regular basis. That said, your air conditioning system goes through a lot this season and beyond, accumulating wear and tear faster than air conditioners in other parts of the country. This means it could potentially require more repairs.

To avoid the biggest, most sudden, and costliest of these AC repair needs, we implore you to schedule maintenance at least once a year for your air conditioner. During this service, our professionals will fully inspect, clean, and adjust your system to ensure its efficient performance. With or without maintenance, however, if your cooling system is making noises you don’t recognize, it’s time to call in a pro. What noises, in particular, should you pay attention to?

Why You Should Never Rush Into an AC Purchase

July 29th, 2019

At DC Cheek, we value honesty—even when it’s not popular for other HVAC companies to give customers the power over their decisions. We believe in doing the right thing.

So, when we say you shouldn’t rush into an air conditioning purchase, we really mean it. We understand, it’s nearly the middle of summer and it is hot. If your air conditioner has broken down or stopped cooling your home as effectively as it once did, there is absolutely a sense of urgency.

But rushing into an air conditioning purchase can leave you with an improperly installed system, or one that is not sized correctly or matched to your home.

Beware These Signs of AC Repair Needs

July 15th, 2019

If there’s anything we dislike as homeowners, it’s the prospect of air conditioning repairs. However, they’re a fact of life! Considering how much we use our cooling systems on a daily basis during the summer, it’s only inevitable that at some point, you’ll need repairs.

Now, we can definitely help you fend off the worst of these repairs, with professional maintenance once a year (or twice a year, if you have a heat pump). The last thing you need, after all, is a sudden breakdown and repair call when temperatures heat their peak.

Harness the Power of UV Rays for Better Home Performance

July 1st, 2019

When you think of home performance, you likely think of how efficient your home comfort systems are—things like your air conditioner, water heater, and even your lighting. These are all, of course, important components to home performance, but what about your indoor air quality?

After all, the air quality in your home is about much more than simply the temperature—it’s about whether your air is actually healthy or not.

One method to ensure good indoor air quality is with the installation of a UV (ultraviolet) air purifier installation.

Yes, You Can Boost AC Efficiency Yourself!

June 17th, 2019

There aren’t a lot of things HVAC pros will tell you that you can do yourself when it comes to servicing your comfort control system. And the fact of the matter is that for big repairs, this is mostly true—particularly since there are some components of HVAC systems that professionals need special training and licensing for. This includes substances like refrigerant and natural gas, in the case of a furnace.

That said, professional maintenance is important. In fact, it is vital to the overall performance and efficiency of your air conditioner. It allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect your air conditioner for problems, anything that needs adjusting, and anything that needs to be cleaned. It also allows you to get repairs on your schedule right away so they don’t turn into bigger emergencies later on down the line. But, back to how you can boost efficiency by yourself…

“Is It Too Late to Tune-Up my AC for Summer?”

June 3rd, 2019

Temperatures are already soaring, and you just noticed that you forgot to arrange for your next air conditioning maintenance appointment. But maybe you can skip it, just this one year? It’s probably too late to have it done now anyway, right?

Not quite! In the absence of a total system breakdown, it’s never actually too late to get your air conditioner tuned-up. This is truly a case of “it’s better late than never.” Plus, there are benefits to joining our maintenance plan, which we’ll elaborate on below.

Check Out Our Blog for Advice on All Things Plumbing and HVAC

May 2nd, 2019

Be sure to bookmark the DC Cheek Heating & Cooling blog to start learning the ins and outs of plumbing and 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.