Shared living (especially with someone you really love) can have several health and lifestyle benefits. But an ongoing Thermostat War isn’t one of them.

While some shiver at even the thought of letting temperatures drop below 72 degrees inside, others may feel claustrophobic and dragged down without a bit of briskness in the air. One of you may be wary of the heating or cooling bill, while the other may choose to spend more on that line item than groceries and streaming services.

You wouldn’t be alone in this conundrum. In fact, a 2020 study revealed that 75 percent of participating couples argue over where to set the thermostat.

So how do you solve the problem without letting things get too heated — or freezing each other out?

Meet in the Middle

Good, old-fashioned compromise may be part of the solution. A fun suggestion could be to flip a coin together, setting the thermostat to the preferred temperature of whomever wins the toss. Then each day afterward, increase or decrease the setting by two degrees until you find a comfortable level you can both live with.

Extra blankets, housecoats or slippers, portable heaters or fans, and spray bottles filled with ice water are other tools you may use to help you stay cooler or warmer without continually messing with the thermostat dial.

Program Temperature Zones

Temperature zoning divides a home up into two or more separate areas for heating and cooling. This involves professional installation of motorized dampers in your existing duct system, which are connected to independent programmable thermostats. Each thermostat is wired to a centrally-placed control panel, which allows you to conveniently program each zone from a single location.

Programming with a timer may also help. “To make things fair, we’ve decided to put our heating on a timer from 7 am until 9 am so it’s not too icy when we get out of bed,” one interviewee told Stylist, “and then again from 5 pm until 9 pm as it gets colder at night.”

Make Your Equipment Smarter

One of the best ways to resolve temperature battles is to upgrade to a smart thermostat or by installing smart air vents. “Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages,” Consumer Reports acknowledges. “Smart thermostats with remote sensors are more affordable than smart vents,” they explain, “but they’re best for averaging the temperature across multiple rooms. Smart vent covers allow you to actually redirect airflow and heat or cool individual rooms to precise temperatures. But they cost more.”

Beyond being conveniently programmable from your phone and other devices, smart thermostats are able to “learn” your heating and cooling habits, and eventually adjust accordingly. Which will ultimately save you money. Though a smart thermostat won’t allow you to adjust temperatures in individual rooms the way smart vents will, they may allow you to find the right patterns for your compromises.

Keep Your Systems Well Maintained

A smoothly-running HVAC system will keep everyone happier. Test your AC unit now while temperatures are still cool. Make sure vents, drains, and condensers are all clean. And schedule a preventative maintenance appointment well before you think you need it.

Though we may not be able to fix every temperature spat in your home, our knowledgeable staff will make sure your equipment isn’t part of the problem. Connect with us online or call us at 770-995-7585 for an appointment or advice.

So, you’ve made the investment and gotten your brand-new HVAC system installed. But how do you know whether it’s truly running perfectly? Though our experts are happy to help you solve any of your HVAC needs, here are some key things you can look out for independently, to ensure your new system is in top shape for the long-run.

Temperature (and Humidity) Check

One of the main reasons you may have gotten a new system is to improve your energy efficiency. But how do you know if this new HVAC is working properly? Monitoring temperature consistency and humidity fluctuations will be one of the best ways to find out.

​​First and foremost, use a thermometer not connected to your system to compare the temperature readout on your new thermostat with the current inside temperature of your home. If these two differ, it may mean your new thermostat could have difficulty sensing the temperature of your house. This is vital, because when the thermostat is unable to tell when it needs to turn on and off, even the newest and otherwise perfectly-running system will be challenged.

If the temperature readings are correct, but your new system is still struggling to keep up, make sure your thermostat is set to either heating or cooling (depending on what you desire), and the battery, if it has one, is fresh. Also check your circuit breaker, as the problem could simply be a tripped fuse. Otherwise, you may need an expert to help diagnose the issue.

Follow the Money

“This may seem like a no-brainer,” says home expert Bob Vila, “but unless your utility company has increased your gas or electric rates, or you’ve recently installed another energy-intensive appliance, monthly costs should be fairly consistent year to year.” Though you may experience a slight increase or decrease in costs with a new system, a big fluctuation could be a warning sign.

Make sure to monitor your billing history in the two months prior to and following your installation. “If charges have skyrocketed,” Vila advises, “that’s an obvious indicator that your HVAC system is wasting energy.” And unfortunately, if that’s the case, you may need assistance in diagnosing the problem.

Listen for Noises

Your new HVAC may come accompanied with some new noises, but some sounds are more normal than others. While rattling parts or loose screws aren’t always an immediate problem, any severe “screaming” sounds need to be looked at immediately by a professional. New “whistling” sounds may be caused by gaps between your ductwork and your new HVAC. If you’re comfortable, there are a few simple checks you can do to investigate these sounds, but analysis from a system expert can ensure nothing has been overlooked.

Whether you’re staying on top of a new system, or caretaking an older one, the experts at Mitchell Cooling and Heating are here to provide support. Call us at 770-995-7585 or connect with us online for appointments and advice.

Now that the Halloween season is firmly over, any bumps, bangs, or boos you hear in your home aren’t likely caused by ghosts. But if the culprit of these uncharacteristic noises is your A/C or heating unit, what’s making them happen, and how can you respond? 

Loose & Dirty Parts

Banging, buzzing, clanking, or clicking from inside your unit could be due to a variety of problems, including something as simple as a loose screw or dirt-clogged part. Any loose piston pin, crankshaft, connecting rod, or smaller internal component could also be contributing — or even a poorly balanced internal blower or fan. Clogged copper lines and filters that need to be cleaned could also be in play. In short, there’s a wide range of issues that may be causing unusual noises in your unit. Most of them are likely simple fixes, but all deserve careful investigation.

If you feel comfortable, and know your way around your HVAC unit, give it a general check for these basic issues. Make sure screws are tightened effectively, filters have been replaced, and vent dampers are open. If the culprit feels at all beyond your handy abilities, or the problem persists, call in Mitchell Cooling + Heating for a thorough assessment and safe solution. 

Failing Thermostat

Clicking sounds are normal when a system stops and starts, but if they become frequent and persistent, you may be facing a failing thermostat or defective control. Typically, these problems are caused by electrical issues which may be dangerous to your home and costly to repair, so we advise you to involve an expert sooner than later. 

Degrading Belts, Fans, and Motors

Brief screeching or squealing that occurs when the unit turns on could mean you’re simply facing a belt that needs replacement.  

But squealing sounds through your duct system become more common when indoor blower and outdoor fan motors begin to degrade. Malfunctioning or damaged blower wheels may also be the cause. In general, these are problems best left for an expert’s attention. Call Mitchell Cooling + Heating right away if squealing persists. 

Duct Leak

Even the most carefully installed, well-sealed ductwork has the potential for leaks along its joints. When air flows through these gaps, it can result in a whistling sound. If you’re unable to patch these leaks yourself, Mitchell Cooling + Heating can quickly identify where and how to reduce the leakage — and the noise. 

Refrigerant Leak

If you begin to hear a consistent “screaming” or loud, high-pitched whistling noise, a refrigerant leak may be the cause. In some cases, your unit may be equipped with a failsafe sensor mechanism that will automatically shut the unit off when this happens. But when it comes to “screaming” issues, a professional is needed immediately. These problems can be highly detrimental to your AC unit, and may also harm your health, if dangerous chemicals are indeed being released. Schedule an appointment now.

To stay on top of any clicks, knocks, screams, or groans in your system, give the experts at Mitchell Cooling and Heating a call at 770-995-7585. When you’ve investigated a noise and haven’t found a simple answer you can take care of yourself, we’re also available online for appointments and advice.

Back in 1994, job postings were listed in newspapers. That’s where Gustavo Loaiza, New Construction Manager, first heard about Mitchell Cooling + Heating 27 years ago.

“I saw an ad for a helper in heating and air,” Gus said. “Chris (Mitchell) provided training so I gave it a chance.”

With lots of energy and a can-do attitude to do whatever it takes to get things done, Gus remains happy at how long he’s continued to enjoy the job. After nearly 30 years on the Mitchell Cooling + Heating team, he hasn’t looked back. 

For him, every day is something new. Each construction project is a different challenge, requiring expertise to work with the unique demands of each commercial or residential builder and their specific construction timeline.

While each project is different, Gus’s workday has a consistency he enjoys. In the mornings, he helps his teammates load up their trucks by helping stock their equipment and material. After loading, he meets team members at the worksites to help during installations and ensure there are no installation hiccups. Afterward, Gus meets builders and contractors that need his HVAC expertise. In the afternoons, he starts preparing for the next day.

The most rewarding part of Gus’s job is the work, great coworkers, and customers he has the chance to help.

What does Gus attribute as the key for a successful 27 years in HVAC? 

“Be prepared to work hard, and find a good boss so it makes the work easier,” he says.

Gus has been married to his wife, Martha, for 40 years. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. 

The couple enjoys spending lots of time together, watching the grandkids play soccer, and having family dinners. The entire family is Atlanta United FC fans.

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Warming up to fall? Give us a call to schedule a heater and furnace repair by calling 770-995-7585. You can also schedule a service online.

At the peak of summer, you may be well aware of how much your home depends on a well-functioning air conditioner. But do you know where it came from? And where it’s going?

Early Beginnings

The Mitchell Cooling and Heating team has been serving Atlanta and the North Metro area for almost thirty years, but air conditioning (and, consequently, A/C service) has been around for much longer.

Attempts to control indoor temperatures perhaps began in ancient Egypt, where water-soaked mats were hung in doorways to help cool rooms from the dry desert air.  Later, in Rome, elaborate aqueduct systems were implemented in part to circulate cooling water through villa walls. However, internal climate control wasn’t widespread until electricity became more readily available. 

At the turn of the 20th century, Willis Carrier developed a cooling system, upon which modern air conditioning is built. Originally designed to resolve the problems humidity caused in image printing at Brooklyn’s Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographic and Publishing Company, Carrier’s system is largely credited as the origin of modern air conditioning.

The future success of Carrier’s invention stood on the shoulders of others. 

“Long before Carrier was even born,” Smithsonian Magazine explains, “University of Glasgow professor William Cullen evaporated liquids in a vacuum thus creating refrigeration technology as early as 1748.” And in 1841, John Gorrie also invented his own ice-making machine in an attempt to cure Yellow Fever. 

Combined together, each of these technological breakthroughs established the current cooling we enjoy today. 

Modern Progress

The growing popularity of movie theaters and hotels helped spur air conditioning’s progress. Memorial Day weekend of 1925, the Rivoli Theater in New York City debuted its own air conditioning system, offering cooler respites from summer doldrums. The experiment was a success, with Adolph Zukor, president of Paramount Pictures, proclaiming on the day of the reveal, “Yes, the people are going to like it.” 

Ensuing efforts continued to adapt the technology to create smaller, safer, and more affordable cooling methods — ones that could be implemented in homes or schools. Thanks in part to research and development by engineer Henry Galson, “By 1947, 43,000 of these systems were sold — and, for the first time, homeowners could enjoy air conditioning without having to make expensive upgrades.”

Future Forward

These days, air conditioning systems are nearly everywhere. But keeping up with the technology’s maintenance and growth could be as important as creating it in the first place. 

According to an October 2020 Forbes report, “IBISWorld expects 1% average growth in this $47.6 billion (estimated 2020 revenue industry) through 2025.” There will be a great demand for experienced technicians who can keep up. 

However, the impact of climate change is also something to keep track of as well. As the planet gets hotter, more cooling solutions will be needed, but systems that don’t further contribute to climate change will also be crucial.

“With more energy-efficient air conditioners and less super-polluting refrigerants,” Fast Company reported in July 2020, “we could avoid releasing greenhouse gases  . . . in the next four decades—like preventing eight years of total annual greenhouse gas emissions.”

Technicians will need to remain knowledgeable about this changing technology and help anticipate solutions for what’s to come. 

At Mitchell Cooling and Heating, our experts are continually educated to guarantee your system’s efficiency all year round. Give us a call anytime at 770-995-7585 or schedule a service appointment to ensure your system is in prime shape — and ready for the future.