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When it comes to your HVAC, safety should be the number one priority. While we all want and deserve a comfortable home, we don’t all have the training and equipment to make sure our system is doing its job properly. There are dangers lurking in the inner workings that can make attempting a repair on your own not worth the risk.

There are four main problems that can lead to failure: lack of HVAC maintenance, wear and tear, dirty filters, and water damage or leakage. If your system stops working effectively or efficiently, you might be tempted to take a look at it for yourself. Well, don’t! The HVAC industry is relatively dangerous, so let’s go over the most important safety tips you need to know to stay safe around your HVAC system as a homeowner.

1. Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector Near Your Furnace

When operating a heating system that hasn’t been well-maintained, it’s possible for carbon monoxide to make its way into the air around it. In order to avoid getting poisoned, a carbon monoxide detector can be a crucial element to have around your main system to let you know of high levels caused by leaks. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so without a detector close by, it can be almost impossible to catch before it becomes a serious problem.

Needless to say, you shouldn’t be messing around with your furnace yourself! Avoid any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by leaving the work to our professionals. The HVAC experts at Madsen are highly-trained technicians who have your needs for heating repairs covered.

2. Turn Off the Power Before Cleaning an AC Unit

While electrical issues and cooling repairs should always be handled by an experienced technician, you may want to clean your AC unit from debris once in a while between routine maintenance visits. That’s perfectly safe to do, as long as you turn off the power beforehand. If your AC has electricity running through it while you’re cleaning the outdoor unit or dusting off evaporator coils, you could put yourself in a potentially very dangerous situation. Hit the power switch before cleaning your AC unit, and getting the cooler air flowing should be a breeze.

3. Practice Simple Ladder Safety Rules

Even if you’re just going to change your filter, basic HVAC home maintenance tasks can become perilous if conducted incorrectly — especially if you have to use a ladder to access your unit or ducts. According to a CDC report, thousands of people in the U.S. are injured due to ladder-related falls every year. By paying attention to ladder safety rules, you can make your filter change far safer in a matter of minutes.

When setting up, keep the base of the ladder a quarter of its working length from the building you’re working on and use the three-point contact rule with both hands and one foot or two feet and one hand at all times. When it comes to extension or straight ladders, extend them at least three feet above the support point and make sure all locks are engaged before use. Whether you’re cleaning your HVAC or changing a light bulb, these simple tips are helpful for making any household ladder use a lot safer.

4. Avoid Potential Hazards by Refraining from DIY Repairs

When it comes down to it, leaving repairs to the professionals is the most important safety tip we can share. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there are several ways to get hurt or make things worse. For example, if you don’t know how to test the circuit with a meter before working on your system, electrical hazards can be extremely common. Chemical exposure could also occur if you don’t have the right training or equipment to handle the job carefully and protect yourself. Using the wrong tools or working in a space with inadequate airflow can have serious implications to your health.

When it comes down to it, extensive training and high-end equipment are necessary when it comes to repairing your system properly and making sure you and your family stay safe.

Staying safe when it comes to HVAC maintenance means leaving repairs to the capable hands of technicians that work with your best interests in mind. And you can rely on the experienced professionals and state-of-the-art equipment here at Madsen. Contact our team to get your HVAC system back up and running while keeping your and your loved ones safe.

No one really loves doing laundry — but it certainly helps when you love your laundry room. Creating a space that’s organized and efficient can make sorting, setting, and folding much easier and even enjoyable. The good news is that you don’t have to make a major investment to refresh this space. So what can you do?

Our experts at Madsen have got you covered. Check out 6 of the best ways to update your laundry room and make it a nice little retreat from your otherwise hectic day!

1) Add Some Floating Counterspace

Installing a small surface over your washer and dryer can offer a much-needed extra hand. You can fold, store, and more, making the most of the space you have. If you’re searching for places to store or place things without taking up floor space, this is a simple and easy solution that can make all the difference. Our design team here at Madsen can help you figure out the perfect way to fit this addition into your laundry room.

2) Add Cabinetry & Organizers

Storage can easily become an issue for any laundry room — especially when you’re dealing with a smaller space. Having additional cabinets to store linens and unsightly cleaning supplies are super helpful to keep these items from cluttering up your work area. A hanging organizer can give you a place to put items that you need within reach without taking up counter space, and consider taking your storage off the walls with a rolling cart or lower shelving, giving your laundry baskets a place to rest that’s easily accessible and visually appealing!

3) Make Your Laundry Room Multi-Purpose

Bringing new life to your laundry room can give it more purpose. If your laundry room has the flooring to handle a little dirt and grim, think of doubling up the space as a mudroom as well. With a few additional features like a cubby area, small bench, or sink, this room can easily be prepared to handle all those muddy soccer pracitces and play dates.

4) Create a Mounted Drying Rack

One of the best space-savers for laundry rooms is the mounted drying rack. The great thing about these is that they’re easy to get creative with! Creative ideas like ladders with hooks that hang from your ceiling or racks that pull out and store away in cabinets are popping up in a lot of laundry rooms right now. But there are so many options out there that can add visual value while increasing the functionality of your laundry room — it’s almost a shame not to have one of these!

5) Paint Cabinets & Walls

A refreshing coat of paint can totally transform the feel of any room. Swap that dull and dated hue for a fresh and invigorating color on both walls and cabinetry. Or try a little handpainted detail to really make this space your own. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have something pretty to look at while folding laundry!

Even if you’re not looking for a new look, consider a fresh coat to bring life back into your space as a simple way to upgrade while staying in your budget with this quick and easy fix.

6) Other Inexpensive Upgrades

The details matter, especially in a small space where anything could catch your eye — or get in your way. Replacing the hardware on cabinets, doors, or drawers is a great start. Finding a unique light fixture can make your entire space look like new. And getting paintable outlet covers and matching them to your walls can take your laundry room from looking ordinary to outstanding. Small, inexpensive upgrades can go a long way in making you love your laundry room.

Madsen Can Help!

If you’re loving some of these ideas but aren’t sure where to start, contact our design team here at Madsen! We’re here to help you design the laundry room of your dreams — one you’ll fall in love with every time the dryer dings. Get more functionality out of an elevated, inspirational space with the company that works with a focus on honesty, quality, & service. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Summer is in full swing and you can certainly feel it! But just because it’s scorching outside, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be perfectly comfortable inside. Ensure your home stays cool all summer long by taking advantage of these helpful tips to improve your HVAC’s efficiency and effectiveness!

1) Keep Your HVAC System in the Shade

A lot of AC units are located outside the home. And when it’s in the shade, the air around it’s going to be cooler — automatically making it easier to cool the air for you. Conversely, if you keep your unit in direct sunlight, it’ll get overheated and have to work overtime. Shady trees or shrubs can help, but make sure there is enough space around the unit to avoid other issues. A constant barrage of leaves and branches can clog up the system and lead to the need for repairs or replacements.

2) Check & Replace Your Filters

Air filters should be checked once a month and replaced as needed. If you stay on top of this, you can improve your indoor air quality and avoid allergens and dust circulating through your home. Even further, if those filters become clogged, you could be looking at an overworked HVAC system and a whole new set of problems. Conserve energy, improve the longevity of your unit, and save money by regularly implementing this simple efficiency fix.

3) Protect Your Thermostat From the Heat

Your thermostat innately senses heat around it. So if it’s near sources of heat, it’s going to set your AC into overdrive to try to bring those temps down. By keeping electronics and appliances away from your thermostat, you can prevent it from working unnecessarily and driving up utility costs.

If you’re having a new thermostat installed, our experts here at Madsen can help find the best placement in your home, avoiding direct sunlight and large appliances to ensure this won’t be the case for you.

4) Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Speaking of new thermostats… smart thermostats are excellent investments in terms of saving money, conserving energy, and keeping you cool! This tech ensures your system operates efficiently and allows you to change the settings any time from anywhere. In fact, each degree you dial below 78 can increase your energy consumption by about 8%, so the more control and visibility you have into your home’s cooling, the better. This affordable investment will pay for itself in no time by saving you money on your energy bills and preserving the lifespan of your HVAC unit in the process.

5) Invest in a New HVAC System

If your outdated HVAC system simply isn’t getting the job done, investing in a new unit is likely worth the investment in the long run. An inefficient system is costing you extra money for the same output — and probably isn’t helping you beat the heat. Our experts at Madsen can recommend the right size HVAC unit for your space, maximizing efficiency and keeping you as cool as possible all season long. A replacement will be more affordable than constant repairs or siphoning money to your energy company.

6) Weatherize Your Home

Even if your HVAC system is working perfectly, that cool air could be going right out the window. Weatherizing your home can make all the difference when it comes to the actual temperature inside. This includes sealing air leaks with caulking and weather stripping and placing some awnings over windows and doors to stop sunlight from getting in. Installing window film or tints can help retain the indoor temperature, and follow up by adding insulation around your air ducts to make sure you have all the bases covered.

7) Take a Look at Your Landscaping

While most of your landscaping may be set in stone, consider adding more rocks, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home to stop heat from getting trapped on your property. These surfaces increase the temperature of your surroundings by absorbing and continuously radiating heat. It’s also important to take note of plants and shrubs and their distance from your HVAC unit. Like previously mentioned, the more leaves and branches close in proximity can cause inadequate airflow, which prevents your unit from breathing cool, refreshing air into your home.

8) Set Your Fans to Spin Counterclockwise

When you set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise, they’ll push the cool air coming from your AC down and throughout your house. Running your ceiling fan is a lot cheaper than even a couple extra degrees on your thermostat, so take advantage of this method as often as you can. This’ll also give your HVAC unit a break so it can live longer and work more efficiently when you need it to, and give you the option to keep certain vents closed to direct the cool air to the rooms you want it to go.

Make Madsen Your Choice for HVAC Care!

Whether you need a new HVAC unit or thermostat installed or you need a routine tune-up, the experts here at Madsen can help with all of your HVAC needs and ensure things are done the right way, every time.

We’ll come do a thorough inspection of your system so you can be sure it’s ready to beat the heat when the season gets sweltering. An affordable maintenance appointment can set you up for a cool summer and save you from dealing with expensive repairs or replacements before the season’s up. Don’t let your HVAC system fail you — give us a call to schedule an appointment with our team of local technicians today.

HVAC systems have really come a long way. Thanks to advancing technology, recent developments have been pretty cool — and the industry is expected to heat up this year with exponential growth, offering unprecedented efficiency and exceptional software options. And as customer expectations are increasingly more demanding as weather trends continue to surprise us, it’s putting the HVAC industry into overdrive.

By keeping our finger on the pulse on everything HVACs, we’re always here to help homeowners with the right systems to help them beat the heat or fight the cold in any season. Let’s look at the industry trends that are expected to take over in 2023!

1) Overall Growth

The HVAC industry has been booming for the last few years and is expected to continue growing. This means that HVAC companies need to be prepared with reporting, payroll, and other software systems that can keep up with the rapid rate of growth we’re likely to see. Don’t worry — Madsen’s committment to continuous improvement allows us to always offer the highest-quality solutions out there! We’ve got you covered.

Along with the demand growing, the revenue earned across the HVAC industry is expected to grow as well. In 2021, the HVAC US systems market was valued at $16.54 billion and is projected to grow at a rate of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030 (Grand View Research). With 118,000 HVAC businesses in the US (IBIS World), plenty of people will benefit from the growth of this industry! Not to mention, homeowners will benefit as well — with better customer service, maintenance availability, and systems that continuously improve through innovative solutions provided by your HVAC experts.

2) Increase in Maintenance Services

Customers are taking advantage of maintenance services more than ever before. These regular, affordable investments can prevent unexpected failures that force them to buy a brand-new system — at the most inconvenient times. Regular maintenance appointments increase the longevity of an HVAC system, potentially saving homeowners significantly in the long run.

Every year, Americans actually spend over $10 billion on HVAC repair and maintenance services (Grand View Research). Imagine how much they’d be spending on new systems if they didn’t proactively make those investments! With more than 50% of US homes being over 40 years old (ACHR News), maintenance and repairs go a long way in getting homeowners long-term results. If you’re looking to schedule your seasonal HVAC maintenance appointment, reach out to our experts at Madsen today!

3) Customers are Upgrading

Homeowners are taking advantage of new innovation as a result of the industry’s recent boom. Just like maintenance appointments and repairs, these decisions can help them save money and energy in the long run — but instead of being routine, these upgrades are one-time investments that serve homeowners for years to come!

For example, let’s look at smart thermostats that improve energy efficiency for HVAC systems. 24% of US households owned a smart thermostat in 2022 (Consumer Technology Association) and saved an average of $49 per month from doing so (Parks Associates). In addition, 8 out of 10 homeowners who own them plan to buy another one in the future (Statista).

And smart thermostats aren’t the only innovation homeowners are investing in. Ductless HVAC systems could represent all HVAC industry revenue in the next 5 years (Aeroseal), while the inverter heat pump category could grow at a rate of 12.5% over the next 6 years (Million Insights). Variable-speed heat pumps are also growing in popularity with the ability to cut a homeowner’s monthly costs by up to 40% (Mordor Intelligence). It’s no wonder why homeowners are taking action and getting them installed!

4) Sustainability is Key

Customers are demanding more sustainable HVAC systems, and the industry is responding. Homeowners want to be comfortable, but are conscious about what that means for the environment. The HVAC industry continues to deliver what homeowners demand in meaningful ways. In fact, all residential AC and heat pump systems have to meet new US energy efficiency standards in 2023, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

50% of HVAC customers are willing to pay more for a more eco-friendly system (GWI). And these investments will go a long way! We’re all investing in the future of our planet, making impactful changes, one household at a time.

One of the most exciting HVAC innovations in terms of sustainability is the geothermal heat pump. It’s been around for a while, but this innovation is finally starting to garner an effectual level of attention this year. It’s one of the best energy and money-saving systems we’ve come across in the HVAC industry and deserves this level of awareness and demand! Right now, these pumps account for about 1% of the US HVAC market, according to CBS News, but that may change soon. About 50,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed in the US every year, according to the US Department of Energy, and as that increases, the environment will continue to benefit — and so will homeowners!

Takeaways

The HVAC industry is growing rapidly and in meaningful ways that benefit homeowners across the country. By investing in innovative HVAC technology, maintenance appointments, and sustainable options, homeowners are keeping more money in their pockets while helping to minimize our carbon footprint. The more we invest in more efficient and effective HVAC systems, the more we can stay comfortable in the homes we love and create a better place to live for everyone.

Madsen is here to make sure your HVAC system serves you in the best possible way for years to come. Contact us today to see how we can help you with all of your HVAC needs!

With summer just around the corner, most of us are starting to daydream about all the vacations, pool days, and cookouts on the horizon. But along with all the fun of the season also comes sweltering heat and higher energy bills. We don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but one thing’s for sure – when you come home after a day out in the sunshine, you’ll want to be comfortable and cool. And the best way to ensure you can do that is to prepare your home for summer weather now.

Here are 11 simple things you can do to prepare for all the fun summer has to offer without losing your cool.

Prepping Your HVAC System for Summer Weather 

If there’s one thing that will make the biggest impact on your home’s comfort this summer, it’s your HVAC. There are a lot of things you can do now to prep your system for the brutal heat.

Clean Around Your Compressor Outside of Your Home

Your compressor is what creates the cool air that travels through the ducts in your home. Since it sits outside, debris can build up around and even get inside of your compressor, compromising it’s an ability to operate efficiently and effectively. Make a point to clear away anything that could be mucking up your compressor before summer arrives.

Check Your Filters

Just like outdoor debris can hinder your compressor’s performance, inside dust and particles in your HVAC filters can hinder the functionality of your entire system. Even if you haven’t been using your HVAC a lot this spring, your filters will continue to trap anything floating through the air, and those particles can accumulate quickly. Before the summer weather hits, you’ll want to make sure to check your filters to see if they need to be deep cleaned or replaced, and contact our team at Madsen to take care of it.

Inspect Your Air Ducts

When it comes to heating and cooling, duct damage is responsible for about 20-30% of energy loss. That’s why in order to save energy, it’s imperative to check on the condition of your ducts! Taking care of any air leaks will save you money and keep you cool in the long run. In many cases, these leaks may be very minor or even out of sight, but they can make a huge difference on your home’s overall comfort, so it’s worth a little extra effort to ensure nothing is missed. Hiring a professional to do this inspection for you will help you feel confident in your system all summer long.

Clean Your Vents

Before the summer heat gets to you, make sure cold air can get to you by cleaning out your vents! Keep an eye out for dust, debris, hair, and even objects that can fall through your vents – especially if you have pets or little ones running around. Clogged vents will only force your system to work harder and jack up your energy bills, so make sure everything is out of there before summer.

Check Your Thermostat

Now is the best time for a thermostat reset. You’ll want to try to match the seasonal temperature averages and schedule so you can be as efficient and cost-effective in cooling your home all summer long. Setting your thermostat can even help to keep you cool during power outages during summer storms. Make sure to change your batteries and get them tested for performance during your routine HVAC maintenance appointment as well.

Check Out Your Refrigerant Lines

Refrigerant is a key component in keeping you cool this summer. It absorbs & transports heat, pushing the unwanted heat outside all season long. If your HVAC system’s refrigerant lines are damaged or leaking, it can cause environmental issues and stop your system from doing its job altogether. Sit by your unit for a bit and listen for bubbling or hissing noises. If you suspect there’s a leak, a good way to check is by taking some soap and apply it to the spot. If it bubbles, you’ve got a leak. If that’s the case, call a professional to fix the issue right away. Our HVAC experts would be happy to inspect your lines for you as well!

Other Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer Weather 

In addition to your HVAC care, there are other things you can do to prep your home to beat the heat.

Keep the Sunlight Out

Tackle that sunshine head-on by using curtains, blinds & shades, and reflective window film to keep those strong rays from heating up your living spaces. Planting shady trees and shrubs can also block sunlight from seeping in your windows and hitting your home’s exterior, which can help to keep you cool all season long!

Pay Attention to Airflow

Circulation is half the battle when it comes to cooling your home. By taking advantage of fans and screened windows, you can keep air flowing through your house. When temperatures aren’t unbearable, try to open windows at opposite ends of your house to promote airflow for short periods during the day and at night. Keep interior doors open so you don’t disrupt any potential cross-ventilation. And use fans in the rooms you’re occupying most during the day. They can make it feel up 10 degrees cooler when the airflow hits your skin!

Unplug Appliances & Electronics

Electronics and appliances can generate heat when they’re plugged in. Cut down on this extra heat by unplugging them when they’re not in use. Keep an eye out for light fixtures, your washer and dryer, and any cooking appliances that can be discreetly combating your cooling efforts.

Make Handling the Heat Easier with Help from Madsen!

It’s a no-brainer that HVAC system maintenance plays a major role in your home’s comfort every summer. To get ahead of the heat this summer, our experts at Madsen are here to take these important tasks off your to-do list. Contact our team to schedule your seasonal appointment today!