energy

Replacing Your Home’s Vent Covers & Why It’s Important

May 9, 2023 by Jose Campos

Your home’s HVAC system is responsible for providing you with clean, comfortable air. But did you know that the vents in your home play an important role in the overall effectiveness of your HVAC system? Over time, your vent covers can become dirty, damaged, or outdated, which can negatively impact your indoor air quality and HVAC system performance. In this blog, we will discuss why replacing your home’s vent covers is important and provide tips and advice for doing so. You can trust our team at Morrison Plumbing to provide expert guidance in the care of your Granite City, IL, home.

Tip: Choose the Right Size

Before you purchase new vent covers, make sure you know the size of your existing vents. Most vent covers are available in standard sizes, so it should be easy to find a replacement that fits your existing vents. If you’re not sure what size you need, measure the width and height of your vent opening.

Tip: Choose the Right Type

There are several different types of vent covers available, including plastic, metal, and wood. When selecting a replacement, consider the overall look of your home, as well as the location of the vent. Plastic vent covers are the most affordable, while metal and wood vent covers can add a touch of elegance to your home.

Tip: Clean Your Existing Vents

Before installing your new vent covers, make sure you clean your existing vents. Use a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated. This will ensure that your new vent covers fit properly and that there are no obstructions in the airflow.

Tip: Remove Your Old Vent Covers

Most vent covers are attached with screws or clips, so get out your toolbox for the appropriate tools for the job. To remove your old vent covers, simply unscrew the screws or press the clips and lift the cover away from the vent. The process should be straightforward and simple to complete.

Tip: Install Your New Vent Covers

To install your new vent covers, simply align the cover with the vent and screw it in place or snap it into the clips. Make sure the cover is flush with the surface of the wall or floor. The installation process is easy and should only take a moment to secure your new vents in place and dispose of the old covers. For more helpful tips, you can contact our experts at Morrison Plumbing, and we’ll advise you on how to properly care for your home’s HVAC system and vents.

Benefit: Improved Indoor Air Quality

Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate in your vent covers. When you turn on your HVAC system, these contaminants are blown into your home, which can negatively impact your indoor air quality. By replacing your vent covers, you can remove these contaminants and prevent them from being circulated throughout your home. This will drastically help improve the air quality in your living space, so you can breathe easier. For more information about your indoor air quality, contact our team at Morrison Plumbing.

Benefit: Increased Energy Efficiency

Damaged or outdated vent covers can reduce the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. When your vents are clogged with dust and debris, your system has to work harder to circulate air throughout your home, which can increase your energy bills. By replacing your vent covers, you can improve the airflow in your home and reduce your energy consumption, so your system can operate more efficiently.

Benefit: Improved Aesthetics

Old, damaged, or outdated vent covers can detract from the overall appearance of your home. By replacing your vent covers, you can give your home a fresh, updated look. New vent covers can enhance the overall appearance of your home. This can be especially important if you’re trying to sell your home, as potential buyers will notice small details like vent covers.

Benefit: Extend the Life of Your HVAC System

Replacing your vent covers can help extend the life of your HVAC system. When your system has to work harder to circulate air due to clogged or dirty vents, it can put additional strain on the system, which can cause it to wear out more quickly. By replacing your vent covers, you can reduce the strain on your system and help it last longer, saving you time, money, and stress in the future.

Replacing your home’s vent covers is a small but important task that can have significant benefits. By improving your indoor air quality, increasing energy efficiency, enhancing aesthetics, and extending the life of your HVAC system, new vent covers can be a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. If you’re interested in replacing your vent covers, contact Morrison Plumbing, a trusted and reliable plumbing company serving Granite City, IL, and the surrounding areas. Our team of experts can help you choose the right vent covers for your home and ensure they are installed properly. Call our team today at (618) 408-1251.

Belleville, Illinois: Why You Should Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

March 1, 2021 by cmpdigital

So, when was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? On average, people spend between 60-90% of their time within their home, however many homeowners neglect the importance of quality indoor air flow. Without properly cleaned air ducts, potentially harmful bacteria and allergens can make their way into every inch of your home, causing negative effects on the entire household. Here are 5 reasons why you should get your air ducts professionally cleaned to improve the function of your home.

It Prevents Health Issues

If you live with pets, then you know how hard it is to keep the floors and surfaces of your home clean and bacteria-free. Your air ducts are trying to do the very same with keeping out dust particles and debris from flowing through the vents in your home. After years of working to keep your home clean, eventually the air ducts accumulate layers of grime that cannot be removed without professional care. It’s important that every 3-5 years you contact a licensed heating and air company to get rid of the potential threat that dust buildup can have on your body.

Air Duct Cleaning Improves Your System

Many issues that arise in damaged or unproductive air ducts are caused by a lack of homeowner maintenance. If you were to let your air ducts go uncleaned for 5 or even 10 years, how well do you think they would work? Cleaning your air ducts not only improves the quality of your air, but it also increases the efficiency of your HVAC system which could potentially lower your energy bill and increase the lifespan the system altogether.

Eliminates Smells from Your Home

Odors that arise from daily activities like cooking, cleaning, painting, and even caring for our pets can travel and get suck in the air ducts throughout the home. A thorough cleaning can help to eliminate any unpleasant or musky odors that have settled over time, making your home feel and smell fresher than before.

Detect Underlying Issues

While it may seem like your air ducts are working properly, scheduling a routine cleaning can lead to the discovery of issues that would have cost a fortune a few months or years down the road.

Heating and air professionals not only remove sometimes up to 15 pounds of dust and grime from your air ducts, but they inspect the efficiency and quality of the entire system to ensure that there are not any mechanical issues to worry about in the future.

Air Duct Cleaning Can Save Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy concluded that on average, between 25 and 40 percent of energy used in heating and cooling units is wasted. This loss of energy is often due to buildup in air ducts that halt the efficiency of air flow.

Hiring a professional duct cleaning company to cleanse your air ducts will ensure that you are using the appropriate amount of energy throughout the home while saving you money on your monthly bill. Call Morrison Plumbing, Heating & Air at [hls_phone_number] today to schedule a duct cleaning service today.

Belleville, Illinois: What to Expect When Getting a New Air Conditioner Installed

February 1, 2021 by cmpdigital

There’s no escaping it. Your air conditioner needs replacing and you’re unsure of how to even go about purchasing one. Never fear! We have put together a list of what to expect when getting a new air conditioner. As always, contact Morrison Plumbing, Heating, and Air at [hls_phone_number] for questions on pricing, installation, and scheduling.

Do Your Research

Before buying a new air conditioning unit, do a little bit of research on local heating and air companies and the types of services they provide. There are many different choices to choose from, all of which have specific benefits that may or may not be required for your home.

A/C units come in various sizes that must be chosen correctly, if it is too small, your home won’t cool properly. If it’s too large, your energy bill will be outrageous as its powerful vents will be wasting energy meant for a bigger space.

If you still aren’t convinced that you’ve found the right system for you, it’s always helpful to ask your friends, family, and neighbors for advice and to see what they recommend.

Anticipate the Cost

As you already know from hours of research, air conditioning units are not cheap. In fact, they really are long term investments that help with the functioning of your home. Brand new units can last over 20 years, which is why it is important that you don’t cut corners by buying something cheap or previously used.

Scheduling the Installation

After finally deciding on which A/C unit is best for your home, it is time to contact the professionals to schedule an installation. It’s better to schedule an appointment as early as possible, especially closer to the summer months when it is more common for homeowners to replace their A/C system.

Once the specialist is at your home, it should only take him about half a day to install and test your system. While many homeowners prefer to be home at the time of installation, it is generally not necessary.

Understanding the System

You did it! You’ve researched, purchased, and installed your air conditioning unit, now what? Before the installers leave your home, they should conduct a quality inspection on the system to make sure that it is working properly.

They will tell you how to go about performing maintenance on your A/C unit to ensure it stays functioning properly as well as how to control the thermostat. If you are interested in obtaining a warranty on your air conditioner, ask Morrison Plumbing, Heating, and Air for information on how to go about filling out a form.