The Sources of Ice on an AC Evaporator Coil

November 14th, 2016

Since air conditioning systems blow out chilled air, many homeowners are not necessarily surprised when they see ice forming along the coils. They tend to think that it’s normal and that once the AC cycles off, the ice will simply melt away and fall into the drip pan below. This is a detrimental assumption to make, however.

Ice should never appear on your air conditioner. If it does, then there is something seriously wrong with your air conditioner. The ice won’t go away permanently if you remove it yourself—and in fact that can be harmful to your system anyway. The ice development will actually increase if the underlying problem is not taken care of. As long as ice is present, your AC system will suffer a reduction in cooling power. So what’s the underlying issue?

Continue Reading

Furnace Troubles You May Encounter

November 7th, 2016

While our great state will never get as cold as some of the states in the Midwest, our winters still do bring temperatures cool enough for us to make use of a heating system. When that happens, you want to make sure that you have a heater which is ready to handle its job effectively and efficiently.

If it’s a furnace that you’ll be utilizing this winter, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for any common furnace problems that may crop up. The faster you address furnace repair needs, the more damage you can prevent. Keep reading to learn more.

Continue Reading

What You Should Understand about SEER Ratings

October 24th, 2016

Air conditioning systems are pretty complex appliances when you really think about it. Fortunately, you don’t need to know most of the specifications of your air conditioner—that’s what we’re here for after all. However, there is at least one air conditioning factor you should be well aware of—your system’s SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

Understanding SEER will help you to understand how efficiently or non-efficiently your air conditioning system uses power to provide you with conditioned air. Although the SEER rating isn’t the only specification of your AC that matters, it can and should be a deciding factor when considering a new system installation. Keep reading to learn more.

Continue Reading

How a Bad Condenser Can Lead to Significant AC Issues

October 17th, 2016

There’s probably no need to tell you just how stressful it can be to be stuck with an air conditioning system that is in disrepair—particularly when our temperatures are still reaching the 90’s. You may be tempted to hold off on repairs if you suspect they’re necessary, as we are nearing the end of summer, after all. However, this could be a big mistake.

It’s always better to address problems as early as possible in order to avoid major repairs or premature system breakdown in the future. One AC problem you definitely don’t want to wait to fix is a bad condenser. This component is housed in the outdoor unit of your system, along with the compressor. It condenses the refrigerant from a gas into a liquid as it moves to the indoor evaporator. This is one of the most major components of your air conditioner, and its failure can significantly impact your AC unit’s performance, efficiency, and lifespan. Over time, that can shorten the lifespan of your furnace, as well as create more serious repair issues.

Continue Reading

Is Your Air Conditioner’s Capacitors Giving You Trouble?

October 10th, 2016

Now is typically the time that we get a good amount of service calls regarding AC system breakdowns and repairs. By this time, summer has kept temperatures high for several months, putting your system through a good amount of wear and tear.

Over time, individual components of your air conditioning system are prone to cracks and other damage due to the continuous stress and strain. One set of components in particular that you should be worried about are the capacitors, essential for the AC system to function at all. Diagnosing problems with your AC capacitor is something that should be left to the professionals, however we’ve shared below some of the signs that you may be able to spot fairly easily.

Continue Reading

How Can You Save Money as a Homeowner?

October 3rd, 2016

As a leading HVAC company in our community, you can trust us when we tell you that we are as interesting in reducing your costs as a homeowner as much as you are. Most homeowners don’t realize that their biggest energy-suck—and thus money-suck—is their HVAC system. When your heating and cooling systems work as they should, you can save immensely on your utility bills. And let’s face it—every little bit counts. But how do you make sure that your HVAC system is in fact saving you money instead of doing the complete opposite?

Continue Reading

Are You Conducting This AC System Task Every 3 Months?

September 26th, 2016

When is the last time you changed your cooling system’s air filter? Did you even know that your air conditioning system has a filter? Upon installation your AC system has an air filter that protects the inside components from dust, dirt and other debris that could cause damage to the various components within your system.

Ensuring that your air filter is in good shape is a vitally important part of maintaining the health of your entire system. Keep reading to learn more about this air filter, and what can happen if you don’t change your air filter at least every 3 months.

Continue Reading

Is Your Thermostat Causing Air Conditioning Issues in your Home?

September 19th, 2016

If you are like most homeowners, you probably don’t give much thought to just how vital your thermostat is to your HVAC system and your indoor comfort. This may be an extremely small component of your overall cooling system, however it serves as the “brain” of your air conditioner and can either make or break your cooling efforts.

Most thermostat issues are caused either by faulty wiring, a poorly installed model, or poor calibration. However, these aren’t the only reasons that a thermostat may cause your AC system to develop repair issues. The location of your thermostat actually plays a huge role in the effectiveness of your cooling system. Keep reading to learn more about this, and where you shouldn’t put your thermostat.

Continue Reading

What Qualifies As an Air Conditioning Emergency?

September 12th, 2016

Given the recent severe weather, it likely doesn’t come as surprise that many people are discovering their outdoor AC units suffered damage. And of course if your air conditioner stops running, it’s a big deal. But what if it’s just a little symptomatic? Should you be concerned?

After a storm of this size impacting our weather, yes, you should be worried if your AC is suddenly showing signs of malfunction. But what exactly qualifies as an emergency—when should you give us a call?

Continue Reading

Include a Zone Control System with Your New HVAC Installation

September 5th, 2016

Though our weather right now can be described as anything but “cool,” fall is on its way, making it the perfect time to think about whether or not you need to replace your HVAC system—whether it’s an air conditioner or a heating system you are counting on to work this winter. When our weather is mild, as it is for the most part as we approach the end of the year, our professionals typically have less crammed schedules as they aren’t responding to emergencies.

This makes now the perfect time to think about system installation. But the type of air conditioner or heater you purchase isn’t the only thing you should consider; a zone control system will make either of these provide you with even more comfort.

Continue Reading