In the summertime, there’s no question: You need reliable A/C. So if your air conditioner shuts off every few minutes, it can be a real inconvenience. Fortunately, the Bryant® pros at S&R Heating & Cooling are here to help. Below, we explain what could be causing this problem—often called “short-cycling”—and offer a few ways to fix it. Have questions? Call us for service at 651-429-0001.

Check Your Air Filter

If you haven’t changed your air filter recently, it could be clogged with excess dust and dirt. And if the clog is severe enough, your system can’t run, so it shuts down. Compare it to a vacuum that’s full of debris. When there’s nowhere for it to go, the entire operation stops. Luckily, the fix is simple: Replace your air filter. Be sure to check it once a month to prevent serious clogs that could prevent your unit from functioning properly.

Change the Batteries in Your Thermostat

It sounds silly, but sometimes the problem with your air conditioner is with your thermostat, not the unit itself. If the thermostat can’t properly detect the temperature, it will affect how the air conditioner runs. Try changing out the batteries and restarting it to see if that fixes the issue.

Make Sure Nothing Obstructs Your Unit

It’s not uncommon for wind or a storm to blow leaves and other debris into your air conditioner. If there’s too much blockage, the system might not be able to run properly. Check around the A/C to make sure there’s no overgrown shrubbery, litter, or anything else blocking your unit.

Schedule Air Conditioner Maintenance

If you haven’t had maintenance performed on your air conditioner in a while, now is the time to schedule it. Occasionally, dirt and grime can build up in your system, which can prevent it from functioning correctly. Your unit could also be low on refrigerant—a repair that needs to be taken care of by the professionals at S&R Heating.

Call S&R Heating for Repair

If you’ve checked the items above and your system continues to shut off every few minutes, chances are there’s a part that needs to be replaced. S&R Heating can take care of the issue promptly and reliably, bringing your unit back to working order as quickly as possible. Call us when you need air conditioner service at 651-429-0001 or send us a message online.

Setting up zoned heating and cooling in your home allows you to take total control of your comfort. But it also has many more benefits for you and your family. Whether you have relatives with different opinions on a comfortable temperature, or a home with rooms that aren’t always in use, zoning provides a solution for everyone. Read about how this system works below, then call S&R Heating & Cooling when you’re ready to set one up in your own home.

How Does a Zoned Heating and Cooling System Work?

Zoning allows you to create separate areas within your home, each of which can be controlled with its own thermostat. This means you can keep one “zone” of your home warmer or cooler while maintaining a completely different temperature in another. Each space can be customized based on your needs—whether you want to control one room or an entire floor separately from the rest of your home.

Why Choose a Zoning System?

1. Energy Efficiency

With zoned heating and cooling, you’re only using energy to control the rooms you need to. So instead of paying to heat your whole house, you might only be heating one room or floor—which means greater energy efficiency and lower utility bills. Additionally, only using one part of your HVAC system at a time can reduce wear and tear on the units.

2. Improved Comfort

Let’s face it: Your family members each have a different opinion on what the most comfortable temperature is. With a zoning system, everyone under the same roof will be happy.

3. Better Indoor Air Quality

By only running your HVAC through the rooms you need, you’re blowing less air through the vents. This results in less distribution of indoor air pollutants being circulated through the home, which increases air quality.

4. Regulated Temperatures

It’s common to experience varied temperatures in different areas of the home—some rooms are just colder than others. Heat rises, so in multi-story homes, the upstairs is sometimes warmer than down. Additionally, if you have a room over a garage, it could be cooler. Installing a zoned heating and cooling system takes care of these irregularities by allowing you to control each section individually and even everything out.

5. Convenient Control

Zoned systems can be controlled right from your smartphone, which means you can control the individual zones from the comfort of anywhere in (or outside) your home.

Get Your Zoned Heating and Cooling Set Up With S&R

Now that we’ve explained the many benefits of zoning, you might be considering installation in your home. The good news is that installation is simple—so once you’ve decided how to split your home, you’ll be able to enjoy perfect comfort in no time. When you’re ready to set up zoned heating and cooling, call the Bryant® experts at S&R at 651-429-0001 or send us a message online.

Looking for energy-efficiency tips to help you save money as we transition into spring? The experts at S&R Heating & Cooling have you covered. Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to save energy. (And when you’re ready for number five, give us a call at 651-429-0001.)

Replace Your Air Filter

If you haven’t done so in the last couple of months, be sure to change your furnace air filter now. These filters are helpful in protecting your air quality, trapping pollutants like dust and dirt as they flow through your ducts. However, they get dirty over time, and the dirtier they get, the harder your furnace (and air conditioner) has to work to push air past them. That can lead to an increase in energy consumption as well as put excessive stress on your HVAC systems.

Utilize Your Blinds and Curtains

During the day, keep your blinds, shades, and curtains open to let the sunshine in—it’s like a free source of heat. That way, you can set your thermostat lower without sacrificing any comfort. At night, close all the curtains back up to help keep your heat from leaking through windows.

Switch Your Ceiling Fan Direction

Did you know your ceiling fan blades can rotate in two different directions? It’s true, and it can have a big impact on your comfort and even your energy usage. In the winter, flip the switch on the fan so that the blades rotate clockwise. It’ll help push warm air, which naturally rises, back down to you. In the summer, flip the switch so the blades spin counterclockwise for the opposite effect.

Upgrade to a Wi-Fi Thermostat

Believe it or not, the thermostat you use can actually affect your ability to save energy. With a smart or Wi-Fi thermostat, you can schedule temperature changes on a day-to-day basis depending on whether you’re at home or away. This can cut down on unnecessary fluctuations and streamline energy use. Plus, you can control it all from your smartphone, so you don’t even have to leave the couch to adjust your comfort.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

In spring, you never know how long you’ll need heat or how early you’ll need cool air. So make sure both your furnace and air conditioner run as efficiently as possible with an annual tune-up. Our techs clean all working parts, fix small issues before they worsen, and keep the system running smoothly. It’s a simple and effective energy-saving tip.

For More Energy-Efficiency Tips, Contact S&R

As members of Bryant®’s coveted Circle of Champions, S&R Heating is one of the best HVAC servicers around. Let us help you save money and stay comfortable—call us at 651-429-0001 or contact us online.

Could your Woodbury home use a water softener? If you have itchy skin, dull-colored clothing, or hard water stains, the easy answer is “yes.” The pros at S&R Heating & Cooling are sharing the top benefits of a water softener below—read them over, then call us at 651-429-0001.

What Is Soft Water?

On the surface, it seems like all water is the same. However, it’s what you don’t see in it that makes all the difference. Hard water has lots of calcium, magnesium, and other naturally occurring minerals. The more there are, the “harder” the water is—and the more detrimental it can be to your health and home. A water softener removes those minerals, a feature that offers many health and comfort benefits (which we’re breaking down below).

Why Use a Water Softener?

Healthier Skin

Though you may not feel it, the minerals found in hard water actually decrease the effectiveness of soap and shampoo. Because soft water eliminates those minerals, it’s much more gentle on skin. This can help you feel and look healthier. The same goes for your hair—it will feel softer and stronger every time you wash it.

Better-Looking Clothes

Soft water has the same effect on your clothes as it does on your skin. When you do laundry using hard water, those minerals build up in the fabric of your shirts and pants—this can make them appear duller and feel stiffer against your body. A water softener makes your clothes pop, feel more comfortable, and helps you get the most out of your clothing.

Easier on Plumbing

All those calcium and magnesium deposits can build up in your pipes as easily as on your clothing. Over time those deposits can cause clogs and drainage problems—and even damage your pipes. A water softener keeps your plumbing in good shape and can help cut down on necessary repairs.

Count on S&R for all Your Water Softener Needs

It’s our job to keep you as comfortable as possible at home and protecting your water supply is a big part of that. Call us today at 651-429-0001 or contact us online.

Let’s face it—hard water is gross. It’s an eyesore and can cause serious issues for you and your home, including dry and itchy hair, rough and scratchy laundry, and crusty faucets and showerheads. Fortunately, there is an easy solution—a water softener. Here are five ways that water softeners make life easier:

It Can Save You Money

Hard water can shorten the lifespan of your household systems, causing breakdowns and the need for early replacements. Because a water softener eliminates hard water, it can save you money on potential repairs, ensure a long lifespan, and optimize energy efficiency.

It’s Hyper-Efficient

In addition to saving energy, water softeners can also make life itself more efficient. Soft water doesn’t build up like hard water does, which can improve hot water and heating systems (just 1.6 mm of buildup can cause a 12 percent loss in heating efficiency). And because soft water doesn’t build up on hair, skin, or laundry, you won’t have to use as much soap, shampoo, or detergent to clean them.

It Can Improve Your Health

We mentioned how soft water can alleviate dry and itchy hair (which, while improving your hair’s health, can also boost your attitude). But soft water is also much better for your skin. It can help keep pores clean and help alleviate certain dry skin conditions, such as eczema.

Enjoy a Cleaner and Shinier Home

Soft water not only helps lengthen the lifespan of systems in your home, but it also makes everything look better. And trust us—we know there’s no replacement for a clean home, whether it’s silverware, glassware, or plumbing fixtures.

It Preserves Clothing

Hard water makes your laundry tough and itchy, and can also cause hard minerals to build up in the fabric. When you use a water softener, it eliminates those issues and helps your clothes last longer (and keeps your colorful articles vibrant).

Don’t Wait—Improve Your Quality of Life With Our Expert Water Softener Service

At S&R Heating & Cooling, we take your health and home comfort seriously. That’s why we specialize in all water softener services (as well as heating and cooling work), whether you need repair and maintenance or a new installation. We’re here to make your life easier—call us today at 651-429-0001 or contact us online.