Category: HVAC

4 Reasons Your AC Might Be Overheating and How to Fix It

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During the summer season, our trusted air conditioners are used more frequently than ever. However, if your AC is not well-maintained or it has some underlying issues, it is at the risk of overheating. When your AC overheats, it can stop working and trip the circuit breaker. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to know the reasons why your AC might be overheating so you can troubleshoot the problem as soon as possible.

1. Your Air Filter is Clogged

Your air filter is one of the most important components of your air conditioning system. A clogged air filter can lead to bad indoor air quality, an increase in your energy bill and of course, your AC overheating. If your air filter has not been changed over time (it should be changed once a season) all the dirt, dust or dander build-up can block any airflow throughout your system and your home. This will force your system to run for longer and wear it out easily. If you notice your AC overheating, make sure your air filter is clear.

2. Low Refrigerant

Your AC is a closed-loop system, meaning refrigerant shouldn’t escape from it. However, if you notice a refrigerant leak (reach behind your outdoor condenser and feel the refrigerant lines—if they are cold that means they’re working properly), you might want to contact an HVAC technician. Low refrigerant levels can cause warm air to blow through your vents, take a longer time to cool as well as cause overheating.

3. Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coil is located in your outdoor condenser unit. It is in charge of condensing the vaporized refrigerant back to liquid and transfers heat away from the unit. However, if your condenser coil is covered in dirt or dust, it won’t be able to do its job efficiently. If it is unable to transfer heat quickly, your air conditioner will overheat and malfunction. To fix this issue, you can either use coil cleaner or you can call an HVAC technician to perform professional maintenance.

4. Lack of Professional Maintenance

If you haven’t kept an eye on your air conditioner or haven’t called an HVAC technician to perform professional maintenance, it is highly likely that your system will deal with various issues. Take some time to research some reputable HVAC technicians in your area so you can choose a company that works best for you and your needs.

Still haven’t figured out reasons why your AC might be overheating? Get in touch with the pros at Roman Electric. Our team of experts will be more than happy to assist you, answer your questions and address your HVAC concerns. We provide a myriad of HVAC services such as repair, installation and maintenance. Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website. One of our highly skilled team members will be ready to respond and help you out in no time!

How to Get the Most Out of Your HVAC This Summer

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Like most homeowners, we know you’re trying to ensure your HVAC unit performs to the best of its abilities during the hot summer season. Other than simple HVAC maintenance, there are other tips you can follow to get the most out of your HVAC unit. To help you out, the pros at Roman Electric have prepared a quick guide!

1. Turn Your Thermostat Back

According to the Department of Energy, you can reduce your AC’s energy consumption by 10%, by turning your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher for 8 hours a day. Try this technique out and see if it works. To put this into effect, you’ll need a programmable thermostat—these thermostats come with scheduling features that allow you to set daily and weekly temperature schedules.

Pro tip: If it gets too hot, use fans instead of lowering your temperature setting. Fans create a wind-chill effect and instead of cooling rooms (like ACs do) they cool the occupants of the room.

2. Seal Up Your Home

Air leaks can increase your heating and cooling costs as well as your overall energy costs. They can also reduce indoor air quality and force your air conditioner to work overtime to provide the cooling you need. If you want to make the most of your HVAC unit this summer, seal up any air leaks you find. The most common spots for air leaks are doors and windows. Inspect the weatherstripping in these regions—if it looks worn out, you can easily get an affordable replacement from your nearest home improvement store.

In addition to sealing up air leaks, inspect the insulation in your home, especially your attic. Air has the highest likelihood of escaping from here so make sure your attic is well-insulated!

3. Use Curtains

If you live in a particularly sunny area, you will find that it gets hot indoors quickly even when your AC is working. To prevent this, make the most of the blinds and curtains in your home. You can also get special “blackout” curtains which block the majority of the sunlight entering your room.

4. Regular Maintenance

Performing regular maintenance on your air conditioner is good for your unit, for your comfort and for your energy bill! Make sure you handle the DIY maintenance tasks such as clearing away the vegetation near your outdoor condenser, changing your air filter and cleaning your vents. In addition to that, schedule an appointment for an annual maintenance check up with an HVAC technician you trust. Consistent HVAC maintenance can prevent bigger problems in the future!

Want more tips on how you can get the most out of your HVAC this summer? Get in touch with the pros at Roman Electric! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us online. Our team of dedicated and trusted experts will be more than happy to help you out!

Common Heating Problems

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Your heating system is one of the frequently used appliances in your home. However, like every device or appliance, it can run into a few problems here and there. To help you diagnose these problems, troubleshoot them and prevent them in the future, the pros at Roman Electric have come up with a list of common heating issues.

1. Clogged Filter

One of the most common heating problems homeowners run into is a clogged filter. An air filter that isn’t changed consistently will worsen your indoor air quality, reduce proper air flow and can cause larger problems such as a damaged heat exchanger. This will inevitably result in expensive repairs in addition to high heating bills. Replacing your air filter only takes a few minutes and is one of the easiest ways to make sure your heating system is well-maintained. According to the Department of Energy, changing your air filter improves your indoor air quality and reduces your heating system’s energy consumption by up to 15%. Make sure you change your filter once or twice a month.

2. Damaged Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is an incredibly important component of your heating system. If you have a gas furnace, the heat exchanger heats cold, indoor air with the help of combustion gases. The warmed indoor air is then distributed back into your home. Because of the exchanger’s vital role in warming your home, it’s important to fix your damaged heat exchanger immediately. Not only will it cause problems for your heating system, but it can also be very dangerous. A cracked heat exchanger can cause harmful gases such as carbon monoxide to leak in to your home. To fix your heat exchanger, it is best to contact a reliable HVAC technician near you because this isn’t a problem you should handle yourself.

3. Furnace Not Heating

Another common heating problem is a furnace that doesn’t provide the heating you need. This could be occurring for several reasons:

  • Thermostat Setting

Check your thermostat setting and make sure it’s on “Heat.” Next, make sure it’s on “Auto” and NOT on “Fan.” The fan setting causes air to continue to blow through the ducts even when there isn’t any heating occurring.

  • Clogged Filter

As we mentioned before, a clogged filter can limit air flow. Make sure it’s been replaced with a clean one.

  • Gas Is Not On

If you have a gas furnace, make sure the gas valve is on—it’s possible someone turned it off and forgot to turn it back on. If the gas valve handle is perpendicular to the gas pipe, turn it so it is parallel to the pipe.

  • You Need to Reset Your Furnace

Sometimes all you need to do is reset your furnace to get it to work properly. If your furnace has a reset button—a red button on the front or back—try pressing it. The furnace might have shutdown automatically because of either a clogged filter, blocked vents or overheating.

  • Major Underlying Problems

If you have tried everything above, it might be a good time to call your HVAC technician as there might be more complex problems with your heating system.

Fix These Common Heating Problems with Roman Electric!

We hope this list of common heating problems was helpful in identifying and fixing any heating issues you might be having. If you are experiencing more complex heating problems, get in touch with the pros at Roman Electric! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service online!

Why is HVAC Maintenance So Important?

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Your HVAC system is one of the most frequently used appliances in your home, which is why it is important to keep it up to date and well-maintained. However, sometimes homeowners might not always understand the importance of consistently keeping their HVAC system well-maintained. Don’t worry though, because the pros at Roman Electric are here to offer some facts on why HVAC maintenance is so important!

1. Better Indoor Air Quality

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors. Some allergens and pollutants such as mold and ozone might have a higher concentration indoors than they do outdoors. That is why it’s so important to find ways to maintain good indoor air quality – and one of the most effective ways you can do this is by maintaining your HVAC system. By taking small easy steps such as changing your air filter or cleaning out your vents, you will be ensuring your indoor air is allergen-free!

2. Save Money

Simply by changing your air filter once or twice a month you can reduce your unit’s energy consumption by up to 15%, ultimately reducing your energy bill. Maintaining your system can also prevent bigger problems in the future such as a frozen evaporator coil, a damaged outdoor condenser or leaking refrigerant. These problems might require costly repairs, which can be prevented by having your system professionally inspected yearly or inspecting it yourself occasionally.

3. Peace of Mind

By dedicating a few hours to HVAC maintenance, whether it is professional or DIY, you will be avoiding sudden breakdowns sending you into panic-mode and taking time out of your daily plans. HVAC emergency repairs are no fun because they are so exhausting to deal with. However, they can most definitely be avoided with the help of HVAC tune-ups earlier on.

4. Longer Equipment Life

By scheduling annual HVAC maintenance, you can extend the life span of your HVAC unit. Your system is generally wearing out due to continuous usage. But frequent breakdowns caused by carelessness can worsen your unit’s performance quickly. Before you know it, you’ll have to start looking for a replacement which takes a great deal of time, effort and research. If that’s not something you want to deal with right now, try to take care of the HVAC system you have by scheduling annual maintenance, changing your filter and having your coils cleaned.

5. Safety

Dealing with HVAC equipment that is on the brink of failure can be dangerous. For example, if your heat exchanger develops a crack, it might release harmful carbon monoxide in the air. If your refrigerant lines are worn out, refrigerant might leak through gaps in the lines. These are potentially dangerous substances and by inspecting your unit, you can prevent them from harming you.

Maintain Your HVAC System with Roman Electric!

We hope this guide clarified why HVAC maintenance is so important. If you want to learn more about HVAC maintenance, get in touch with the pros at Roman Electric! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service on our website!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat Pump or Furnace?

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When it comes to your home’s central heating system, there are several options at your disposal. When searching for a heating system, one of the most common dilemmas homeowners have is deciding whether to choose a heat pump or furnace. And if they do decide, they’re questioning what type they should get. It can be a long debate, with heat pumps and furnaces both having solid arguments. To help you make a more informed decision, the pros at Roman Electric have created a quick and helpful guide.

Heat Pump Pros

  • Heat pumps are great for moderate climates
  • Heat pumps are more energy-efficient. According to the Department of Energy, heat pumps can reduce electricity use by 50 percent compared to furnaces.
  • Fun fact: Heat pumps are not just meant for home heating. According to the DOE, high efficiency heat pumps have better dehumidifying capabilities compared to traditional central air conditioners. This leads to less energy usage and increased cooling in the warmer months.
  • Geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy use by up to 65 %! While traditional electric heat pumps are great for moderate climates, geothermal heat pumps can be used in the most extreme cold weather. That is because these heat pumps harness their heating abilities from the consistent temperature underground.
  • Hybrid systems can provide cooling as well as heating!

Heat Pump Cons

  • While heat pumps bring a great deal of energy-efficiency to the table, they have a significantly higher installation cost.
  • A heat pump usually requires an outdoor and indoor component, whereas furnaces don’t.
  • Geothermal heat pumps are even more expensive than standard heat pumps—plus they require installation underground, which can be more expensive.
  • Heat pumps might not be as durable as furnaces. They have shorter lifespans of up to 20 years. Since heat pumps run year-round (for heating and cooling) they suffer through more wear and tear. This reduces its lifespan and might require frequent repairs.

Furnace Pros

  • If lifespan is important to you, a furnace is the way to go as they have longer lifespans. While heat pumps have lifespans of up to 20 years, furnaces can last for 30 years.
  • Since all furnace models provide heating, as opposed to many heat pump models which do heating and cooling, they require less maintenance.
  • Furnaces have lower installation costs.
  • Gas furnaces are more dependable, since they have fewer components and moving parts that need to be serviced.

Furnace Cons

  • Furnaces aren’t always safe. With these appliances, there is a slight potential of a gas leak which could cause a fire.
  • Heat pumps are far more environmentally friendly than furnaces.
  • Gas combustion products caused by furnaces could lead to significant air pollution.

Let Roman Electric Help You Decide!

There isn’t a clear answer to which option is better. It is best to look at the facts and decide which might work better for you. For some homeowners a furnace would be a better option and, for others, a heat pump. If you still have trouble deciding, no worries! Let the pros at Roman Electric help you. Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule an appointment with us online!

How to Avoid Cold Spots in Your Home

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Cold spots are the pesky areas of your home that never seem to get warm. What’s that about anyway? Why isn’t your furnace heating up your entire home?

One or more occurrences could be the cause of the cold spots in your home, and it’s in understanding the origin of those cold spots that you can eliminate them altogether.

Here’s how to avoid cold spots in your home this fall and winter:

Make Sure Your Vents Are Open

A cold “spot” might even be an entire room as far as you’re concerned! It feels like every time you go into the den, you have to wrap yourself in one of the throw blankets. Should you have to bundle up in your own home? We don’t think so!

The cause of a cold room or large area (in an open floorplan) might be that your vents are closed or blocked. There’s a little lever on the side of your vent that allows you to open or close it. Switch it to the other direction and see if you feel air pouring out of it more steadily.

It may be that you’re having a hard time locating your air vents at all. That probably means you have a piece of furniture blocking it. Pull all furniture away from the air vents to ensure that warm air can get to the rest of the room.

Replace Your AC Filter

Believe it or not, this little thing really does a lot. Your AC filter not only helps improve your home’s indoor air quality, but it also enables your central air to flow freely—assuming it’s clean, of course! A dirty air filter might be to blame for your home’s cold spots, so be sure to change it out every month or every three months.

Check to See If You Have an Air Leak

Your furnace can work as hard as it can, but if you have an air leak, then there’s nothing your furnace can do to stop cold spots from forming in your home. An air leak is a crack in your home that leads to the outside, letting your temperature-controlled air out and the cold, fall air in.

Go around your home and feel for breezes coming from your windows, doors, and even exterior walls. You might be surprised where you can find a leak! From there, you have a wall crack sealed, have your windows re-caulked, and your doors’ weather stripping replaced.

Change Your Thermostat—or Your Thermostat’s Location

You could have cold spots in your home because your thermostat is a poor communicator. What we mean is: It might not be telling your furnace to raise your home’s temperature in the right way. In this case, you’ll need to have your thermostat inspected by a professional to make sure it’s working—and have it replaced if it’s not!

The problem could be that your thermostat isn’t in the right location. If it’s not level or if it’s near a heat source or an air leak, then you’re going to have inaccurate temperature readings. It might not be your thermostat’s fault that it’s a poor communicator; it could just be a product of its environment.

Schedule a Furnace Inspection with Roman Electric

There’s always the concern, of course, that your furnace is the reason you have cold spots in your home. Your HVAC unit might even be the wrong size for your home, and that can cause a lot of problems in an of itself. To avoid cold spots in your home, call Roman Electric for a furnace inspection. They’ll see if your furnace needs to be repaired or if it should be replaced with newer model.

How Long is My Air Conditioner Supposed to Last?

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We’ve just about made it through another summer. Temperatures will start to cool down soon, and your air conditioner has put in another year of great work. But you noticed that it’s starting to struggle a bit more than it used to — is it time to get another one? How long is my air conditioner supposed to last?

The AC experts at Roman Electric have your back. We’ll get into the specifics of the shelf life of your AC, and what you can do to make sure it lasts as long as possible. And no matter what, whether you’re looking for a replacement or just want the best tips to keep your AC going, give us a call!

Give It Some Time

 If you purchased a brand new AC unit, you should expect it to last a while. Most units are designed to last anywhere from 15-20 years after they’ve been installed, with some leeway on either end of that range depending on certain factors.

If it’s been close to two decades since you first had your AC unit installed, then you should get some replacement plans in order. Your unit won’t be able to keep going for too much longer, and you’d hate to be left in an uncomfortable home. Better yet, get a jump on things and have it replaced before it gives out.

How To Make Sure It Lasts That Long

Even though AC units are designed to last a long time, there’s no guarantee just how long. Like any other appliance, your AC unit needs care, attention and proper regular maintenance to ensure that it keeps on chugging until the end of its lifespan.

Here are a few tips to make sure that happens:

  • Schedule routine maintenance. Most experts will recommend that you have your HVAC system tuned up twice a year — once in the spring and once in the fall. That way your home will be adequately prepared for the two biggest times of the year when the weather changes.
  • Don’t overdo it. When you need your AC the most in the summer, consider increasing the temperature a degree or two higher than you’d usually set it. Obviously you’d rather have the coldest temperature possible, but too much strain on your AC will lessen its efficiency and shorten its lifespan.
  • Replace your filter on time. Make sure to swap out your HVAC filter on a regular schedule. When your AC has to push air through a clogged and dirty filter too much, it’ll have to increase the power to reach the desired temperature, making it work harder than it needs to. This will result in more breaks and repairs, as well as higher energy bills.

Roman Electric: Your Milwaukee AC Experts!

With these helpful tips, your AC will stand a better chance of lasting as long as it should. And when your AC is on the fritz, just let us here at Roman Electric know! Our team is trained and has extensive knowledge in dealing with a variety of AC problems. They’d be glad to help you and your family return to an enjoyable and comfortable home.

Give us a call at 414-369-3798 for the best service around today!

 

Why You Should Get a Summer Tune-Up for Your AC Unit

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Nothing’s more crucial to keeping your home cool and comfortable in the summer than having an AC unit that provides a steady stream of clean, refreshing air. You might take it for granted, but the second it goes out you suddenly realize how important this equipment is.

Now that we’re roughly halfway through the summer, your unit has already been putting in plenty of hard work pumping cool air throughout your home. Although you might not think a tune-up is what your home needs right now, it’ll help quite a bit. Let the experts at Roman Electric help tell you why you should get a summer tune-up for your AC unit!

It Resets and Recalibrates Your Unit 

As we mentioned, your AC unit has already been hard at work performing cycle after cycle of cooling your home. All that work adds up and takes a toll! Minor misalignments and issues can grow and become serious issues if you’re not careful – and because the AC is going most of the time anyway, these things get worse in a hurry.

A summer tune-up for your AC unit will reset anything that has gotten knocked off-course. It will also help recalibrate its efficiency to ensure that it lasts all through the summer.

You Avoid Expensive Repairs

Another side effect of ignoring small issues is that they can quickly grow into much more serious and costly problems. If you don’t take care of minor things while they’re still manageable, then they have the potential to spread into major repairs before you know it.

Simple Ways to Reduce HVAC Costs

When you enlist the services of a professional to come perform a summer tune-up on your AC unit, you’ll get the trusty help of a trained expert to identify and correct these problems while they’re still correctable. They’ll even fix and restore things you wouldn’t have noticed without their help, saving you lots of money down the road.

It Freshens the Air for Fall and Winter

A cool, crisp fall is one of the most enjoyable times of year, and it’s a nice reprieve from the harsh summer as you get a break before winter arrives. One of the benefits of a summer tune-up is that it’ll help your AC unit perform with higher efficiency, which means your home’s indoor air quality will be at its highest. This way you’ll enjoy clean air during the fall and avoid the myriad health problems that are associated with dry winter air.

Is Your Furnace Ready for Fall?

One Less Thing to Check Off Before Winter

Speaking of winter — you’ve already got a long list of home-related conditions to adjust and check to make sure you’re ready for the colder weather, and priming your AC unit to handle it shouldn’t be a hassle. When you get a tune-up now, you’ll avoid having to keep track of it as your mind is trying to juggle a million other things in preparation for the end of the year and the weather conditions that those months carry.

Roman Electric: Your Milwaukee Tune-Up Experts

With the watchful eye and steady hand of technicians who have decades of experience like the ones at Roman Electric, your home will be good to go for the upcoming seasonal change. Our team has the tools and knowledge to turn your home’s air system into a comfortable environment that will last, and we won’t rest until we’re sure you’re satisfied.

For the best service in the Milwaukee area, give Roman Electric a call at 414-369-3798!

3 Causes for Ice on Your AC

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A working air conditioner is one of life’s greatest pleasures, especially when you’re trying to survive the hotter temperatures of the summer. Even though the middle months aren’t as intense here in Milwaukee as they may be in other parts of the country, we still encounter some pretty hot times.

One of the most frustrating things that can happen, though, is when the AC gets a little *too* cold and it ices over. Figuring out how this even happened in the first place can be stressful and difficult, and often you’re left irritated and still stuck with an icy AC. The AC experts at Roman Electric have compiled a few of the reasons why this might be happening so that you can get a better handle on why you’re dealing with this problem!

Not Enough Airflow

One of the key parts of your air conditioner is the evaporator coil. As the final stop in the air-cooling cycle in your home’s air system, it’s responsible for holding the cooled liquid refrigerant that has been circulating. Air blows over the evaporator coil, absorbing the cool gas and carrying it through your vents.

When the evaporator coil can’t get rid of the cool air, though, the temperature around it steadily drops. When it gets too cold, the air condenses, creating liquid. And when the liquid continues to get colder, it freezes. Inadequate airflow prevents your AC system from moving the cool air through your home, leading to a buildup of ice.

Make sure your home’s airflow has enough power behind it so this doesn’t happen!

Low Refrigerant

As we touched on earlier, refrigerant is key to your home’s air conditioning. It’s a liquid that changes states into a gas and back again as it travels through the AC system, and without it you wouldn’t have any cold air at all! So when you’ve got leaky refrigerant, your AC system isn’t going to know how to handle it.

When there’s a leak, the mixture moves through the various tubes and coils at the wrong speed, and this throws the whole cycle out of whack. The chemical will flow incorrectly, and it will start to clog up at various points through the system. As the cold air blows over this stagnant refrigerant, it’ll freeze and cause a buildup of ice.

Finding a refrigerant leak can be tough since it may be small, but an expert will find it for you in no time!

Broken Components

Of course, there’s a chance you could have a broken piece of machinery somewhere. Whether it’s a blocked drain, a broken blower motor or a cracked/tangled refrigerant line, there are a lot of potential issues that could result in excess ice forming.

All that is a long-winded way of saying that there are more than one or two possible reasons why there might be ice forming on your air conditioner. If you’ve noticed some and aren’t sure why it’s there — or if you do know why and just want someone to fix it — let Roman Electric make it go away!

Give us a call at 414-369-3798 to speak to our AC experts today!

Common HVAC Complaints in Milwaukee

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From the outside looking in, it might not seem like Milwaukee has much to worry about when it comes to AC problems. But those people would be surprised! If you’ve lived here for any amount of time at all, then you know how easy it is for something to go wrong. Despite our notoriously cold winters, the summers aren’t anything to laugh at.

Here are a few of the more common HVAC complaints we here at Roman Electric tend to get from our Milwaukee neighbors. If you experience any of these, don’t wait around in the hopes that they’ll fix themselves. Time is of the essence, so get in touch with the pros you can trust!

Abrupt Increase in Cooling Costs

You should have an idea of how much your energy bills should cost at the different points of the year. Winters will probably be more expensive if you have your heater running constantly, and the summers might be a little less costly if you avoid turning the AC on full blast all the time.

So when your costs spike all of a sudden, that will understandably set off some alarms in your head. When this happens and you don’t know why, let us figure it out for you!

Strange Noises in Your Home

If you’ve been in your home for a while, you’ve gotten accustomed to the usual creaks and squeaks you hear. Most of them are harmless, so you’re good at ignoring them since they haven’t been a problem up to this point.

All it takes is one or two unusual sounds to raise some questions, though. When the ducts start rattling, or when the AC starts groaning, it’s time to call a professional to come take a look. This might just be the newest member of the “sounds you can ignore” club, but it also might mean something more serious.

Inconsistent Airflow

The first job of an HVAC unit is to funnel air through your ducts and out the vents. So when the air isn’t coming out at the right temperatures – or at all – you should rightfully be concerned. While we can’t say that you’ve clearly got a mechanical problem on your hands, you’d rather be safe than sorry. If you let a technician inspect your system to check for an issue, you’ll at least know for sure one way or the other.

It might be because your ducts have an obstruction, or it could be the system working out a minor kink that won’t be a problem in a day. Either way, it’s something a professional will figure out for you.

Roman Electric: Milwaukee’s Go-To HVAC Service Provider

If your home is experiencing one of the above issues – or another one entirely – don’t wait around hoping that it’ll go away. Oftentimes, kicking the can down the road can make things worse. Prevent the problem from becoming worse by calling Roman Electric at 414-369-3798 today!