Spring is here in Hammond, LA, and we can already feel the heat index rising. You’re going to need your air conditioner to function every day, and if yours is starting to look a little long in the tooth, now is the time to do so. We’ve talked a lot about determining when you old air conditioner needs to be replaced, and we haven’t talked about the specific benefits you can enjoy by replacing an old air conditioner with a new one. Mot people adopt the notion of running their existing air conditioning system into the ground before replacing it, but if your system is struggling and its warranty has expired, there’s really no reason to wait.
Professional Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Replace Your Aging Air Conditioner Today
Monday, June 6th, 2016What is Short Cycling?
Monday, May 30th, 2016You may have heard the term “short cycling” used in conjunction with a problematic air conditioner before. It doesn’t sound like a big deal at first glance: an AC that shuts down shortly after turning on, only to turn back on again a few minutes later, then shut down, then turn back on again and so on. Considering the heat we have to deal with in Madisonville, LA every summer, it can be hard to spot something like that so long as the house is cool. In point of fact, however, it’s a serious problem demanding immediate attention.
Leaking Refrigerant Spells Trouble for your AC
Monday, May 23rd, 2016People often assume that air conditioners consumer refrigerant they way a car consumes oil. That’s not the case. Refrigerant actually is supposed to stay at certain set levels dictated by the make and model of your air conditioner. It cycles through an endless loop within the system, first releasing heat outside of your home, then pulling heat from the air within the unit, which can then be blown into your home with a fan. Leaks aren’t supposed to happen, but unfortunately they do. The good news is there’s steps you can take to address the problem the right way.
Common Misconceptions about Air Conditioning
Monday, May 9th, 2016We’re already into May here in Walker, LA and a warm spring is already promising a very hot summer. That means you’re going to need your air conditioner to function at its peak every day. Not only that, but you need it to do so without wasting any unnecessary energy or driving your bills up higher than they should go. Many homeowners harm their own cause on this front with some common misconceptions about how air conditioners work and the best way to make use of them. By clearing up those misconceptions, you can save yourself a lot of cost almost by default.
Repair or Replace? How to Decide for Your Air Conditioner
Monday, May 2nd, 2016Whenever an air conditioner breaks down, you have to determine whether the cost is worthy it this time, or whether your system is in need of a full-bore replacement. Usually, you don’t need to ask that question until your existing air conditioner is more than 10 years old, but with summer on the way here in Hammond, LA, an older system may be put to the test sooner than you’d think. Ideally, you should make a determination now before trouble arises, but in the event you face an expensive repair bill, you may need to make the call on short notice. Every case is different, of course, but here’s a few tips to help you make the determination.
Beneficial Air Conditioning Upgrades
Monday, April 25th, 2016A good air conditioner can be your best friend when summers hit here in Hammond, LA, and high temperatures combined with extreme humidity to turn our atmosphere into a steam bath. Unfortunately, it can cost a great deal in monthly bills to maintain a comfortable home, and while a new air conditioner may be able to do the job more efficiency, you may not be in a financial position to consider such an option. An upgrade to your existing air conditioner, on the other hand, can improve its efficiency considerably, and may even help your system last longer than it might otherwise. We’ve provided a brief list of possible upgrades from you to consider below.
The Value of a Programmable Thermostat
Monday, April 18th, 2016Here in Madisonville, LA, summers come early and stay late, which means your air conditioner will be put to the test every day for months on end. If you’ve kept yours properly maintained, it should perform without a hitch during that time, but you’re still going to have to reckon with comparatively high monthly bills that can eat you alive during the summer months. There are a number of ways you can cut into those costs, the simplest of which is the judicious use of a programmable thermostat. Here’s a few ways to make the most of your system through that.
Ductless Mini Splits or Centralized Air?
Monday, April 11th, 2016If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner this spring, it pays to consider your options. Most homes here in Mandeville, LA rely on centralized air conditioners, but some use ductless mini plait systems, which space a number of smaller units throughout your home and cool each room individually. There are benefits and drawbacks to each system, which you should weigh carefully before proceeding. Obviously there are extenuating circumstances in some cases – if your home can’t support a system of ducts, for instance, then ductless mini-splits are usually the way to go – but if not, then you need to evaluate the pros and cons of each before making a decision.
Why Should I Upgrade to an Air Conditioner with a Higher SEER Rating?
Monday, April 4th, 2016If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, now is the time to buy. Spring has arrived in Ponchatoula, LA, and that means another sweltering Louisiana summer can’t be far behind. Replacing your air conditioner now gives you the time to perform the operation according to your timetable instead of scrambling to perform an installation in front of an oncoming heat wave. A new air conditioner requires you to carefully evaluate a number of different factors, not the least among them is a SEER rating. The term stands of Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it measures how effectively your air conditioner uses energy. You should always buy a new air conditioner with a higher SEER rating than your old one. Why? Here’s a quick set of guidelines.
An Overheating Air Conditioner? It Could Happen!
Monday, March 14th, 2016It sounds like a paradox: your air conditioner, designed to keep things cool, runs into trouble when it overheats. But just like any other piece of complex machinery, stress and overwork could lead to certain components overheating, and all the cool air it generates won’t do a bit of good when that happens. Luckily, most air conditioners have an automatic shut-off system to prevent damage from such an occurrence, but that still leaves the issue to be resolved, and with temperatures already climbing here in Covington, LA, an overheating air conditioner could turn into a big problem very quickly. Here are a few potential causes of an air conditioner overheat for you to be aware of.