Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning Repair’ Category

Why Ice on Your Air Conditioner Is a Huge Sign You Need Repairs

Monday, June 20th, 2016

As summer very quickly approaches, you’ll be relying on your air conditioner more and more to keep your home cool throughout the season. When you do, you might notice ice forming on the coil of your system. This may seem normal, or even like a good thing. After all, an air conditioner is providing cold air, so isn’t ice okay?

Unfortunately, ice on you air conditioner is actually a sign that the system is in trouble, and you should call for repairs as soon as you can. Below, we’ve shared some information on why air conditioners ice over at times, why it’s a problem, and what you can do about it.

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Be Aware of Common AC Condensate Drain Issues

Monday, May 23rd, 2016

One of the air conditioning components you probably think the least about is the system’s condensate drain. In fact, you might even now be asking yourself what a condensate drain is. This component is one of the most important, yet most ignored parts of your air conditioning system.

The condensate drain connects to a pan located below the evaporator coil, which collects the condensate that drips off the outside of the coil as warm, moist air passes over it. Dealing with moisture brings inherent problems, a few of which we’ve outlined below.

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Common Air Conditioning Problems to Be Aware Of

Monday, March 28th, 2016

As the weather starts to heat up, you’re going to start relying on your air conditioner more often to keep your home cool. That means more stress on the system, which means a greater chance of problems developing with it. If you want to make sure that your air conditioner gets through the summer intact, you need to keep an eye out for common problems that the system might develop. Let’s take a look at a few of those common problems now.

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Why Ice Forms on Your Air Conditioner

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

As more people start to rely on their air conditioners on a daily basis, some of you are going to start noticing ice forming on your air conditioner. This may seem like a good thing, but in fact it is a pretty serious problem that needs addressing. Let’s take a look at why ice actually forms on your air conditioner, and what to do about it.

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3 Common Summer Air Conditioning Problems

Monday, May 4th, 2015

We enjoy mild weather here in Tacoma, WA, but summers can be surprisingly warm. A reliable air conditioning system helps you get through those heat waves comfortably. If it breaks down, you need a repair service to move fast. And while you should never attempt to fix a broken air conditioner yourself, it pays to know what kind of problems your system may experience this summer.  That lets you give the technician a better idea of where to look, which can cut down on repair time considerably. Here’s a list of 3 common summer air conditioning problems.

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3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

Monday, April 20th, 2015

Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to start getting your air conditioning system ready for the hottest days of the year. Part of that preparation includes conducting any necessary repairs on your system before it has a chance to break down. It’s rather hard to recognize the need for repairs if you don’t know what symptoms to look for, though. With that in mind, have a look at 3 of the common signs that your air conditioner needs repair.

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AC Problems You Need A Professional to Fix in Puget Sound

Monday, April 16th, 2012

In a hot climate, it’s great to be cool.  Air conditioning in Puget Sound makes life possible for some people.  It lets us sleep and helps us be our best through the hottest days.

Air conditioning is a cool blanket that wraps around us like a mother’s arm around a little baby.  It’s such a part of our lives that it’s easy to forget that, like a baby, our own air conditioners must be well fed and maintained.

Some quick fixes are easy for a home owner, but other air conditioning repairs are complicated, and require a professionally certified HVAC company like Sound Heating to accomplish.

Doing the Basics

For window mounts or the big units on the side of the house, regular cleanings and a filter change should be a part of every season.  Even for the most bumbling of hands, it’s not hard to remove the cover and replace the panel of webbing that catches lint and other particles out of your conditioned air.

Some warm water and a good shot of compressed air gently on the exposed fins will help to increase the longevity of the unit.  Be careful not to put pressure on the fragile fins and coils or use hot water that could cause corrosion.

Make sure the drain is clear, always cover the unit or store it away when more naturally cool temperatures take over and you’ve got conditioned air and relative peace of mind in the years ahead.

Big Problems

Without the regular service, however, an air conditioner begins to work much harder to produce the same amount (or less) of cool joy and parts begin to break down.  With total neglect, the unit itself may need replacement much sooner than was promised when you paid for it. These are repairs that could be avoided and require a professional to make.

The key ingredient to cooling is a chemical called a refrigerant (most often Freon) that is capable of transforming rapidly from gas to liquid and back again at low temperatures. This runs through two intricate tubes, a compressor, and a critical expansion valve that controls the process.  It is a delicate and complicated process that calls for expertise and the right tools, especially since the refrigerant is considered hazardous and requires special handling.

When the air gets stuffy, it could be that the fan is the problem.  Belts could be worn, loose or broken.  The motor may be low on oil and is stained to the breaking point.

If mysterious signs of water or mold are showing up on the inside of the house near the unit, there could be a problem with the condensate that is released with the heat when air is cooled.  This could be a simple or complicated fix, but should be checked out professionally to ensure all is well.

With love and care, an air conditioner should provide us with a decade or two of wonderful sleep and cool times.  Schedule regular service with Sound Heating to increase the comfort.

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