Pay Attention to These 5 Warning Signs You Need Air Conditioner Repair

No one thinks much of their air conditioner until it begins to breakdown and can no longer provide their home with cool air. Homeowners who do not properly care for their air conditioner can end up experiencing problems that can cause interruptions in their service. When these five signs are evident, homeowners must call an HVAC professional for air conditioner repair.

Air Conditioner Repair

1. Your energy costs are rising substantially despite major changes in weather. If you have seen energy hikes from one summer to the next, your air conditioner could be to blame. When an air conditioner is no longer doing its job, it will cost much more to cool a home than it would with an efficient system. It is wise to keep a check on your energy bills and call for air conditioner repair services to determine what is causing the fluctuations.

2. Strange noises during operation often signal the need for air conditioner repair. It is important homeowners are able to recognize the normal hum of their cooling system so they will know if strange noises begin to occur. Any sounds outside of the normal operating sounds of a system should be investigated by an HVAC professional.

3. If you begin to notice any smells coming from your system, it would be wise to call for air conditioner repair. A system that is emitting a moldy, musty smell is not functioning properly. Air conditioners that smell like they are burning could be a fire risk due to faulty or damaged wiring. It is always best to pursue an inspection of the system when these issues are occurring.

4. When a system is failing, it will often be unable to cool the home like it once was. Your home may feel warmer in certain rooms than others or the entire home may be warm. If the system simply is not keeping your home cool like it once was, it could be something as simple as a dirty filter or the need for a fluid check. An HVAC professional can find the cause.

5. In a forced air system, cool air should be forced out of the vents at a steady and reliable rate. If air is not coming out forcefully, the air conditioning system will not be able to meet the demands of properly cooling the home. This is a definite sign of problems and one that needs to be investigated to find the point of concern so it can be properly repaired.

If you have noticed any of these five signs of problems, it is crucial you do not delay in calling the experts for air conditioner repair. Visit same day pros and allow them to help you find an HVAC professional that can come out the same day and repair your system so your home is cool and comfortable again.

Five Ways to Go Green: Heating and Air Conditioning Repair Service

Everybody wants to 'Go Green' and save money on appliances like heating and air conditioning. Here are five Green tips to reduce the energy cost of heating and cooling.

1. Clean and maintain your heating and air conditioning system.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance for your appliance(s) for general tips on extending the lifetime of heating and a/c devices, saving money on monthly bills, conserving energy, and reducing the number of emergency repair calls you have to make.
2. Decide where to set the thermostat.
He likes it hot, so he nudges the thermostat up. She likes it cold, so she nudges it down. If this kind of disagreement becomes a point of interpersonal friction, some families (or office "families") can put a lot of wear and tear on a heat pump, switching the heater or air conditioner on and off...or even switching back and forth between both of them when the outside temperature is actually comfortable. Who needs thermostat drama? Save money by choosing a temperature and leaving the thermostat there when people are inside, setting the thermostat for minimal temperature control when everybody leaves the building. (It's usually easier to set the thermostat low and let chilly people put on sweaters, but if you want to set the thermostat high, in summer, and go clothing-optional, that's up to you.)
3. Dehumidify if necessary.
It's possible for air to be too dry, but if the view outdoors is lush and green and mold tends to form in dark closets or basements, the air is probably too moist. Throat and sinus problems can be caused either by irritation from dry air, or by allergy reactions to mold spores in damp air. Damp air may also cause people to perspire more, feeling clammy-chilly or sweaty-hot even at optimal temperature settings. A dehumidifier warms the air slightly, reduces the humidity significantly, and uses less energy than a heat pump.
4. Seal climate-controlled air inside.
Buildings do need some degree of air exchange, but that's a less common problem. A cold day is a good time to check for air leakage around windows, doors, damaged walls, and through roofs. Add caulking, weatherstripping, and insulation as indicated. Insulated roofs reduce the need for air conditioning in summer.
5. Upgrade to more efficient devices.
Choose heating and air conditioning devices (and other appliances, including refrigerators and computers) that have an Energy Star. Don't overlook lights--inefficient lighting can raise a building's air conditioning needs. Remember that although the Energy Star identifies the most efficient appliances in a class, the class may be bigger or smaller than you need, so shop carefully to avoid waste.
When you buy new devices, it's crucial that they be properly installed by professionals. Incorrect installation could reduce energy efficiency or even compromise the safety of large appliances like heat pumps. Consult professional heating and air conditioning service people for your heating and ac repair needs.

The Cost of Air Conditioning Repair

Your air-conditioner is important for you to enjoy your summer. Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system is essential for making it last longer and perform efficiently. Many believe that the cost of hiring professionals to help with the maintenance is too high and thus, prefer to do it themselves. This is not true, in fact the cost of repairing your own AC will probably be higher than hiring a repair service as you are inexperienced and are more likely to make mistakes.

Also, you'll have to spend a lot of money on buying specific tools and parts that are either very expensive or unavailable to the public. Professional services usually buy these products in bulk or have contracts with manufacturers to get special parts.

You might damage your AC more than before if you try to do it yourself by following online tutorials. There are also various safety issues with regard to you and everyone around you. In the end, you might have to buy a brand new AC, which is more expensive. It is thus better to seek professional repair services as soon as you notice a problem.

On an average, people who try to air conditioner repair themselves often have recurring problems within 6 months, it is thus better to hire professionals who will give you long-lasting results.

Another good idea is to get your AC checked regularly to prevent major damages. It is cheaper to get it checked once in a while than pay for major repairs. There are various services both online and offline that offer flat prices and have your AC fixed in a day. There are companies that offer top-quality professional services for low prices. These services also make sure to get you help in a timely manner and are efficient in fixing your problems.

Choosing the Right HVAC Contractor

The question of hiring an HVAC contractor arises when your heating, venting or air conditioning system needs to be repaired, or even replaced. In most cases, people prefer to hire an HVAC contractor who has a specialization and license to work with the type of equipment you have installed in your home or workplace. Here are a few things you need to know about hiring an HVAC contractor to repair or replace your HVAC system.

Check whether the HVAC contractor has proper licenses and certifications

You can contact a government official or a representative living in your area or locality to know about the type of license and certifications you need to check. You can visit the licensing website to verify the validity of license for a particular contractor. You may also want to make sure that the contractor is insured with worker's compensation insurance, in case of any injury during the process.

Ask people for referrals

Asking your friends, neighbors and relatives about the situation that needed them to call for an HVAC contractor will make sure that you choose the contractor that suits your needs in the best possible ways. Searching for local directories and going through online reviews is another way to decide which is the best HVAC system company in your locality.

Look for contractors who are ready to inspect your system before providing cost estimates

Doing it will make sure that your contractor looks for leakages and other faults before providing you a cost estimate or even before making a repair job appointment with you. The contractor should also make sure that the components and specifications meet the HVAC standard guidelines.

6 Ways to reduce air conditioning repair costs

Do you know that air conditioning uses up to 16% of total electricity used in a normal household? In places with warmer climate, 60—70% of summer electricity bill is because of the air conditioning system. That’s a lot of money but what if you had to shed some more money for air conditioning repair? Stop stressing over it. Here are some tips on how you can reduce air conditioning repair costs.

1. Get routine service: Of course, you expect several years of flawless service from your air conditioner but that comes at a price. Routine service of the air conditioner would ensure that it doesn’t face a major malfunction. It is time to keep aside the “set it and forget it” mentality and to be on time for routine service of the unit. 

2. Get a check-up done before summer: You would now be making heavy use of this equipment which was in dormant stage for a long winter. It is important to ensure that all the parts of the unit are working properly before you start dreaming about spending a comfortable day in your fully air conditioned apartment. Call a professional and ask him to check the unit. This would ensure that the unit works with maximum efficiency and would, therefore, reduce the electricity bills. Also, the chances of a major malfunction reduce manifolds. 

3. Keep the unit clean: One of the best tip for reducing the cost of air conditioning repair is to avoid it. With routine service, a large part of your job is done. But here’s something you must do on regular basis to assure your hard earned money stays with you. Clean the unit often. Clean the coils, change the filter and remove debris from drain channels. Keep the unit covered in winters. This also reduces the negative impact of moisture on the air conditioning system.

4. Hire a certified professional: sometimes completely avoiding the air conditioning repair cost isn’t possible. What you can do under such situations is to try and reduce it. Hiring a certified professional is one of the best decisions you can take for the cause. A professional A.C. repair technician can do the job in much better way and can also save you from needless expenditures. Of course, hiring a professional service seems to be costlier than hiring a local technician but this will surely help you in many other ways. You would be saved from major expending which can occur if the unit isn’t properly serviced. 

5. Compare quotes: Before you go for a professional, make sure you compare the costs for different professionals available in the city. Ask them about costs associated with repairing the unit instead of simply asking for a quote. That would help you decide in a better way and ultimately, save money on the repair work.

6. Repair vs Replace: This is the most fearsome situation. Sometimes your unit gets a major jam and even after consulting tons of professional technicians, you find out that it is going to cost a huge sum of money to get the unit fixed. At that time, it is always better to consider both the options – repair and replace. If the issue is in small electrical parts like contactors and capacitors, go for repair. If the issue is in parts like compressor, replacing is a better option. 

To reduce air conditioning repair costs, you need to take measured steps and follow a strict service routine for your air conditioning system. Keep these tips in mind.  They would help.