Category: Uncategorized

Dehumidifiers, like furnaces or refrigerators, are appliances that run as needed, unattended, 24/7. These portable household dehumidifiers are notorious for overheating. This can be caused by product defect, improper use, or poor maintenance. Over the past decade there have been a considerable amount of home fires caused by these dehumidifiers.

As a result 5.6 million dehumidifiers have been put onto the recall list in the U.S. since 2003. We use dehumidifiers in our homes to help whisk away the extra moisture that tends to accumulate during the hot summer months. They keep the air you breathe comfortable, your basement dry and help deal with pesky mold growth. Portable dehumidifiers work extremely hard in the spring and summer, in several cases too hard. Over 500 fires causing an estimated $20 million in damages have been reported since 2003.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that Gree Electric Appliances of China and GD Midea Air Conditioning Equipment Ltd. of China have recalled millions of portable dehumidifiers from popular brands like Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, Premiere, SoulesAir, Honeywell, and Sunbeam, just to name a few. For a complete list, see the CPSC’s recall page.

Humid indoor air causes damage to your belongings and your home. Purchasing a whole home dehumidifier is the best way to combat the humid summer air. Thankfully, here at Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning we make the process simple. We will help you determine the size of dehumidifier you need based on the size of your home and budget. Call us today at 608-470-3876 .

Celebrating Earth Day 2021

Were you aware that Earth Day is recognized as the largest non-religious observance in the world? Over a billion people worldwide take April 22nd to try and modify human behavior and create global awareness about the environmental issues plaguing our planet.

It is important to understand as individuals, that the little actions we take can and do make a big difference. Participating in Earth Day is simpler than you may think. Here are a few things you can do to your HVAC system to help shrink your carbon footprint and keep some extra cash in your pocket.

Adhere To Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance can help boost the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. Earth Day is the ideal time to take advantage of and join our Cardinal Care Club and start a regular maintenance program. Set it, forget it, and let Cardinal Heating take care of the rest. As a member you receive discounts on repairs, extended warranties, priority service, and you never have to worry about scheduling tune-ups; Cardinal Heating will give you a call when it’s time for your next system check.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Why waste energy heating or cooling your home when you’re not there. With a programmable thermostat saving energy and money can be a sinch. “Set it and forget it” is what we like to say. By setting your thermostat to control the temperature in your home based on your schedule and habits, you won’t have to worry about adjusting temperatures as you come and go.

Change your filter

Earth Day is the ideal day to establish a habit of regularly checking and changing your air filter as recommended by the manufacturer. A dirty filter obstructs air flow requiring your system to work harder, which in turn raises your carbon footprint and utility bills.

Earth Day may be in April every year, but at Cardinal Heating and Air Conditioning we believe conserving energy and saving money should be year-long goal.

Oh, Snap! How Can I Prepare My Home for the Cold?

What Is a Polar Vortex Anyway?

The science is that the polar vortex is a large area of low pressure, cold air, that surrounds the North and South poles. It's called a vortex because of the counter-clockwise airflow that helps to keep that colder air close to the poles. However, during the winter there is a strong possibility for the vortex to become less stable and expand sending the frigid Arctic air towards us.

There are several steps you can take to make sure your home is prepared for the Polar Vortex. Your home is a major investment, and we want to make sure it's safe and reliable, so you can stay warm and comfortable especially as the polar vortex heads to Wisconsin this week.

Do Not Setback Your Thermostat

The temperatures are projected to be well under zero, with double negative digits this weekend. By not setting your thermostat back while you sleep, you are ensuring that you'll not only stay comfortable but also warm during these crazy cold nights.

Make Sure the Water is Shut Off to Your Outside Faucets

When water freezes, ice expands nearly 10% more than the original space the water occupied. If a pipe is already full of water in the liquid state there's no room for the ice expansion when the water freezes and when the water freezes something is going to give.

Outdoor faucets are especially vulnerable to cold weather and with the extreme chilled weather from the polar vortex, it's important to shut off the water for the faucet if you haven't done so already. You should see the water supply near your outside faucet in the ceiling of your basement. Close off these supplies (righty tighty, lefty loosey).

If you run into an issue with frozen or burst pipes, our plumbers are here to help you. Just give us a call.

Clear Your Exhaust Vents from Snow and Ice

We've said this before and we'll say it again. Make sure the vents for your furnace and water heater are clear of any snow or ice. This is not only for your safety, but it also keeps your system running smoothly when you need it most...like during this polar vortex.

We're going to leave the weather forecasting to the weather folks, but it's best to be prepared than have something be clogged and dangerous or even breakdown. Snow is projected in the forecast, so make sure you bundle up when you go to clear your vents!

Change the Batteries in Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your vents are clear of snow and ice, your system is able to continue to vent the dangerous gases it expels while working to keep your home warm and comfortable. But, when was the last time you changed your carbon monoxide batteries?

Please make sure you have fresh batteries in your carbon monoxide detector(s). For the safety of you and your family. You can also search the nearest hardware store for plugin versions as well. A good rule of thumb is to have a detector on each level of your home.

Make Sure Your Furnace Filter is Clean

A clean furnace filter ensures proper airflow. It helps to keep your furnace from overworking on top of the pressure your furnace will be under during the negative double digits of this week's upcoming polar vortex.

Do you know what size your furnace filter is? Do you know how to change your furnace filter? Our expert heating technicians can help answer these and any other questions you may have regarding your heating system.

Get Your Furnace Service Annually

When was the last time you had your furnace checked? For the safety of your family and the safety of your system, we encourage you to get your furnace checked every year.

You can give us a call whenever you need us. We're not comfortable until you are.