Air Conditioning Systems
We take pride in providing the residents and businesses of Southeast Iowa with professional, cost-effective air conditioning, cooling and HVAC repair, service and maintenance programs.
Our professional technicians are trained to do a complete analysis of your system. They can also diagnose any problems you may be having, and then perform the needed service. We can measure the performance of your system and improve your comfort as well as the safety and energy efficiency of your system.
We provivde a wide variety of solutions and services for the home owner who seeks value along with high quality, whole house comfort.
Air Conditioning: We can design, install and maintain a custom centralized system for your home or office. We will provide a solution for you that is energy-efficient and comfortable.
Air Cleaners: We also install and maintain a variety of air quality components. This equipment can help to minimize the amount of viruses, dust, cooking grease, smoke and other particles in your environment.
Humidifiers: We can integrate humidifiers into your new or existing system. Moist air is more comfortable and healthy than dry air.
Energy Recover Ventilators: An energy recovery ventilator will replace "dead" air in your air space with fresh air from outside. The heat/cold energy is captured by the ventilator and then put back into the system. This results in fresh air and dollar savings all at the same time.
Service and Maintenance: We offer maintenance contracts to cover service and emergency repairs to your system. If something goes wrong, we are there to help you. For more information call 1-888-433-2221 or fill out our contact form and a representative will be in touch with you!
Heating Systems
A good heating system is one that will keep you comfortable in your home even in the coldest winter weather. In addition, Iowa winters can produce astronomical energy bills. What makes you uncomfortable? Drafty rooms? Dry air? Having cold feet? Paying high energy bills?
A solution to achieving a comfortable, healthy and economical energy solution is to invest in an energy efficient heating system. Most homeowners today desire a system that combines both comfort and a lower cost of operation. There are a variety of energy-efficient heating systems, including forced air heating, heat pumps, geothermal technologies, and hydronic radiant systems. We provide a wide variety of heating solutions for the homeowner or business owner who is looking for high quality comfort.
Forced air heating is a very common system, using gas burners to heat air in a furnace and then push it via an electrical fan through ducts into rooms by registers. Forced air heating relies on air movement to heat the living space. Furnaces may use a variety of fuel sources such as natural gas, propane, oil or electricity. Furnaces can be a very efficient and economical form of heating a home.
Heat pumps are another widely used system. Heat pumps are highly efficient, however they tend to be more complex. They use an electric motor as opposed to a heat coil to provide heat. Due to the way it operates, even though it uses electricity, a heat pump supplies more energy than it consumes, as heat is taken from the air and water around it.
Geothermal Heat Pumps are a newer form of heating (and cooling) technology. Heat pumps take heat from one source and deposit it in another location. With ground loop geothermal systems, heat is taken from or deposited to the earth by use of a ground loop pipe. More information on Geothermal Heat Pumps can be found here.
Hydronic heating is a heating system that involves the use of water. Water is a great carrier of heat, thus it is more efficient than air for moving heat. The system takes the heat from the boiler or other heat source and moves it efficiently to radiators, baseboards or radiant floors, ceilings or walls. These systems are quite flexible, as they can be used in conjunction with other types of heating systems.
A radiant heating system can provide natural and comfortable heat in a home. It works through the process of radiation or direct transfer of heat from a hot to a cold surface. Hydronic radiant floor heating systems are a popular form of radiant heat. Radiant panels may also be used in ceilings.
There is no air blowing, so there are virtually no uncomfortable drafts. And because the system is heating people and areas via radiating surfaces rather than hot air, the air does not dry out as much as with a forced air system. A more comfortable humidity level can be maintained during the heating season.
A heating system should keep you comfortable efficiently and economically. Call McCoy Plumbing and Heating to discuss your options today: 888-433-2221.
HVAC Repair/Service
We are your source for service and repairs for your air conditioning and heating systems. We provide furnace repair, air conditioning repair, and HVAC maintenance and repair services for both residential homes and commercial buildings.
Our technicians are ready to address your service and maintenance needs. We are here to ensure that your home is comfortable and that all your equipment is working properly and efficiently throughout the year.
Read more about the benefits of regularly scheduled service and maintenance.
We offer 24/7 emergency service 365 days a year. That means whenever you call, someone is there to assist you. Call us at 888-433-2221.
HVAC Problems
Whatever type of system you have, it is a complex system. It is designed to work efficiently, however problems can occur and repairs may be needed.
The following information is a guide to some of the more common heating and air conditioning problems and repairs you may encounter. McCoy Plumbing and Heating (call 888-433-2221) can assist you with any question, problems, or concerns you may have regarding your HVAC system.
The burner in your gas furnace is ignited either by electronic ignition or with a pilot flame. The purpose of a pilot light (which is lit at all times) is to serve as a small ignition flame for the gas burner. One of the most common reasons a gas furnace will fail to operate it that this flame fails to operate properly or goes out.
When the pilot light fails to work, you have no heat. Often, a person will light the pilot themselves. If you choose to start your own syste, but then the pilot light will not stay lit or has a weak flame, you should call a professional to service your system. Shut off your heater at the thermostat or power switch, be sure the gas turns off, and contact McCoy Plumbing and Heating for service.
Midwest winters can produce dangerously frigid temperatures. It is important to keep your heating system running efficiently to ensure maximum performance and to keep everyone comfortable and safe when the temperature drops. A properly maintained heating system, that is serviced at least once a year can prevent costly repairs in the future, as well as reducing your heating costs.
According to the National Home Builders Association, most heating systems last 10 - 20 years, depending upon the type of system (furnaces average 15-20 years, heat pumps 16 years, HVAC systems 10 years). Think about updating your system. Replacing you old system with a new, higher-efficiency heating system can possibly reduce your heating costs substantially.
Keep your filters clean. Dirty air filters reduce your system's efficiency and negatively affect the quality of the air in your home.
Still feeling the frigid cold?
- Seal the gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Keep the heat inside.
- Insulate! Attic insulation is critical. Without enough insulation, heating bills can climb sky high.
- Replace old windows. Or another less expensive option is to install window insulation kits, which will limit cold air from entering your home and heated air from escaping.
If your home has hot or cold spots, and your old system doesn't keep you comfortable, don't just assume that a bigger system will do better. Actually, a larger system tends to worsen existing uneven temperature problems. In many cases, fixing problems with air ducts or house insulation is the best solution to fixing the problem.
An oversized system can be a problem. An oversized system will come on, run a few minutes and then shut down. All of the rooms will not have had a chance to become properly heated. In addition, short run cycles are less fuel efficient and create more wear and tear on the system.
If you have hot and cold spots in your home, keep these factors in mind:
- Is your HVAC unit properly sized for your home?
- How many vents do you have and where are they placed?
- What is the configuration of the ductwork in your home?
- Are your insulation levels adequate?
- Take into consideration the placement of doors and windows, as well as the physical position of your home.
A McCoy technician can help you assess your situation, and provide options and recommendations that make sense for you and your home.
If you notice mold growing on your HVAC vents you need to take immediate action. Mold is a sign of excessive moisture or humidity, combined with collections of dust and dirt. Molds produce spores which float in the air. When continuously exposed to mold spores people can develop allergic symptoms or symptoms of illness such as headaches, nausea, skin disorders and fatigue. Thus, mold contamination poses a serious problem.
The first step is to have a professional, such as McCoy Plumbing and Heating, assess your situation. They can professionally clean your duct system. But if the problem of excessive humidity/moisture in your home is not addressed, the problem will return. So, the next step is to have your HVAC system inspected for drain problems, look for plumbing leaks, and give the system a complete tune-up. A professional technician can also make the right recommendation for a dehumidification system if you have excess humidity in your home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide these specific recommendations to help prevent mold:
- Keep the humidity level in the house between 40% and 60%.
- Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
- Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.
- Clean bathrooms with mold killing products.
- Do not carpet bathrooms and basements.
- Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.
In order to fully benefit from your heating system, the ductwork must be well thought out - and maintained! A lot of air moves through your home's air ducts. They get quite dirty as time goes by. It is therefore important to have your ducts professionally cleaned periodically.
How often you should have your ducts cleaned depends on a number of factors - the number of persons in the home, pets, types of filters being used, how much carpeting is in the home, etc. A professional technician can evaluate your duct system and environment and advise you as to how often your ducts should be cleaned.
A professional service will clean your ducts with machines specifically designed for this task. People are often surprised to learn that the air inside their homes is more polluted than outdoor air.
Contact McCoy Plumbing and Heating to find out more about professional duct cleaning.