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.
Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’
3 Common Summer Air Conditioning Problems
Monday, May 4th, 2015Signs That You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner
Monday, April 27th, 2015We’re beginning to move into the summer season, and that means using your air conditioner more often for the next few months. The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to die halfway through the summer, leaving you without any cool air until you can find a replacement. If you’re going to replace your air conditioner it’s a good idea to do it now.
How can you tell when it’s time for a new air conditioner? Read on to find out.
3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair
Monday, April 20th, 2015Summer 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.
No Cool Air Coming from Your Air Conditioner
Friday, July 11th, 2014On a hot day in Tacoma, you shouldn’t be stuck with an air conditioner that only blows warm air into your home. While there may be many reasons why your air conditioner fails to blow cool air, some of which are detailed below, a qualified technician can usually identify the issue and offer the repairs you need.
Thermostat Issues
The first place you should always look when your AC is not blowing cool air is the thermostat. Check to make sure the AC is turned on and try lowering the temperature a couple of degrees. There may be a calibration issue, or a sensor may not be able to accurately detect the temperature in your home.
Low Refrigerant
A constant level of refrigerant cycling throughout your system is necessary to keep your home cool. As the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas form, it absorbs the heat from your home, and as it condenses, it dissipates heat outdoors. The refrigerant itself is never supposed to leave your system; if you have low refrigerant levels, it is likely due to a leak somewhere in the refrigerant lines. Only AC technicians are qualified to handle and replace refrigerant, so you should always contact an air conditioning repair service if a leak causes your system to stop cooling.
Frozen or Dirty Coils
The indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil are both vital to the refrigeration cycle. The condenser coil is where refrigerant changes from gas to liquid form, giving off heat to the outside air in the process. The evaporator coil is where refrigerant evaporates into a gas, absorbing the heat from the air inside your home. Over time, these coils may become dirty, which can interfere with the cooling capacity of your system. This is why it is necessary to schedule regular maintenance to check for issues such as a dirty coil. Blocked airflow can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze, which could prevent your system from blowing cool air.
Don’t suffer without a working AC any longer than you have to this summer. Call Sound Heating to set up AC service in Tacoma and get your air conditioning system back to normal.
Is Your Air Conditioning System the Wrong Size?
Friday, August 9th, 2013As we near the end of summer heat in Tacoma, it’s important to take notice of your air conditioner. How did it perform? Was it lacking in performance or energy efficiency? Were your energy bills higher than anticipated? It’s important to recognize the signs that something has gone wrong with your HVAC system. Unfortunately, one of the problems that you may encounter is improper installation. We’ve seen it more times than we’d like to admit. When it comes to the installation of your AC, make sure you take your time during the process and make certain that your AC is the correct size so that it adequately lives up to your cooling needs. Call Sound Heating if you believe that you’re in need of professional Tacoma air conditioning repair services, or if you believe that your system is improperly sized for your home.
During the installation of your AC, your technician needs to make sure that he takes an accurate load calculation, which is a fancy term for how much cooling power you need to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient. It’s an important stage in the process. If your system is too small, then it will likely be inadequate to the task of cooling your entire home. It will strain during high temperatures and may have to work harder all the time just to get by, which can lead to higher energy costs. Alternatively, if your AC is too large, that can also lead to problems. It may short-cycle frequently, which can lead to increased energy costs and additional system wear and tear.
There are some signs that your AC is the wrong size. For example, if you notice that your energy bill has spiked from one month to the next, it could be an indication that your system is working too hard. If your system never shuts off, it could be too small to be able to handle the load. If it constantly turns on and off, it could be too large. Remember, bigger is not always better when it comes to your air conditioner.
Call Sound Heating today for professional air conditioning repair service in Tacoma.
What is Refrigerant and How Does It Work?
Tuesday, July 30th, 2013There are numerous types of refrigerant uses in a wide variety of residential and commercial applications. From natural refrigerants like ammonia and water to the latest in ozone-friendly R-410A, which is the current standard amongst air conditioning manufacturers, there are various kinds for various applications. But what is refrigerant and how does it work? The standard refrigerant has been widely tested for flammability and toxicity, and today’s refrigerants have only a minimal impact on the environment, while still remaining effective and efficient as a chemical that absorbs thermal energy at low temperatures and dissipates thermal energy at high temperatures. It’s important to know how refrigerant works because the more your know the better chance you will have at recognizing any problems. Call Sound Heating if you would like more information about the refrigerant that circulates through your coils or if you would like to schedule air conditioning services in Puyallup.
Let’s begin with the compressor. As the engine of the refrigerant cycle, it takes the low pressure, low temperature gas from the indoor evaporator coil and turns it into a high pressure, high temperature gas, one that is substantially higher than the outside temperature. It then travels to the condenser coils to be dissipated into the outside air with the help of an exhaust fan. It has now been condensed (hence the name), but it is not yet cool enough. It flows into an expansion valve where it cools rapidly and now can be used as a material for cooling. The evaporator coil circulates this cold, liquid refrigerant and the thermal interaction that occurs between the refrigerant and the warm indoor air causes the refrigerant to turn into a gas. Hence the cycle continues.
For a long time, R-22 (also known as Freon) was the standard in the HVAC industry, but it has since been exposed as a potential environmental hazard, and is now being phased out of production. Because today’s refrigerants are not able to be retrofitted into systems designed to handle this older standard, it’s important to recognize how this phase-out could affect you.
Call Sound Heating today for professional air conditioning services in Puyallup, OR.
How Dirt and Dust Can Lead to Air Conditioning Repair Service
Wednesday, June 26th, 2013Is your AC clean? Are you comfortable in your home during the summer? Grime, dirt, dust, and other debris can have a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of your cooling during the summer months. While professional installation can go a long way towards ensuring that your AC provides comfort for you and your family for the years to come, it’s simply not enough to instill confidence about its reliability and performance. By following up your installation with routine preventive maintenance, you can make sure that your AC does not suffer from unnecessary air conditioning repairs and premature replacement costs. Call the Tacoma air conditioning repair techs at Sound Heating today for comprehensive repair services throughout the Greater Puget Sound area.
Let’s look in more detail at some problems that develop as a result of dirt, dust, and other debris.
- Frozen evaporator coil. Frozen coils are one of the most common issues affecting air conditioners in the summer months. There are several reasons why it can happen in your home, including low refrigerant. But one of the most common reasons is related to a clogged air filter as a result of excessive dirt. When debris builds up on your air filter, it not only no longer performs its function, but also blocks the flow of cool air, which can then buildup inside your air handler.
- Dirty condenser coils. Your condenser coils are subject to increased levels of debris because of their outdoor location. However, they need to be kept clean in order to function properly. They play an important role in dissipating the thermal energy drawn from your indoor air into the outside air. But they simply will not be effective if they are caked with debris.
- Blower motor fault. Dirt and dust are bad for motors. They create friction and reduce the effectiveness of moving parts that often require lubrication to operate. If dirt and debris get inside your blower motor components, then it could shut down, which means that your system cannot operate.
Make sure you take care of any dirt and dust that build up on your air conditioning system. Call Sound Heating today for excellent air conditioning repair services in Tacoma, WA.
Causes of Inadequate Cooling
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013During the hottest days of summer, a subpar performance from your air conditioning system can be a serious problem. There are a lot of reasons why your air conditioner may come up short in the cooling department. While you should never attempt to repair any problems with your air conditioning system on your own, understanding a little more about the causes of inadequate cooling can help you avoid making mistakes that can reduce the comfort level in your home. Here are a few examples of reasons that your air conditioning system may fail to provide you with the exceptional service you deserve. Contact the Tacoma air conditioning repair technicians at Sound Heating for more details.
One very common cause of inadequate cooling from air conditioning systems is a very dirty air filter. This is a perfect example of a problem that you yourself can resolve and avoid in order to allow your air conditioning system to operate with the great efficiency and effectiveness you want. As your air conditioner operates and air circulates throughout the system, the airborne pollutants in that air are filtered out on the air filter within your AC. If too much dirt and debris is allowed to build up on this air filter it can create too much airflow resistance in the system. This can lead to frozen coils, excessive wear and tear as well as many other operational issues.
Another reason that your air conditioning system may not be performing properly is due to an improper refrigerant charge. If you hope to get a great performance from your AC it is necessary that it has the right amount of refrigerant in it. If your refrigerant is low, it likely means that there is a leak in your system. You air conditioner does not consume refrigerant, but rather recycles it again and again. If your refrigerant is leaking or if some has escaped during service, we can recharge it to proper levels.
To learn more about some common causes of inadequate cooling, contact the Tacoma air conditioning repair pros at Sound Heating. We’ll answer any questions that you may have to help you get a better cooling performance in your home. Schedule service today.
Getting the Right Air Conditioning Replacement
Friday, June 14th, 2013Are you tired of paying for frequent air conditioning repairs? Is your system old and outdated? While you may be tempted to repair your air conditioner again, it’s probably a good idea to consider professional air conditioning replacement. Today’s air conditioners are highly energy efficient and offer performance values that exceed those built over a decade ago. But it’s not only important to get quality equipment. While the SEER rating and projected cooling output looks good on paper, you need professional installation if you want your new AC to work well for years to come. In today’s post, we’d like to discuss what getting the right Bellevue, WA air conditioning replacement means for you.
While all homes are inevitably different, there are some general things to keep in mind when pursuing satisfactory air conditioning replacement.
- Sizing. To be effective, your new AC needs to be the right size for your home. If necessary, your HVAC technician will perform a load calculation during the installation process to make sure that your new AC matches your home. The BTU output and tonnage need to match the volume of air in your living space. While this is only an estimate, and there is some leeway on either side of the estimate, it’s important to get right the first time. If your new AC is too small, then it may overwork itself unnecessarily; if it’s too large, then it may short-cycle frequently.
- Quality. There is no lack of equipment on the air conditioning market. When you’re selecting a new air conditioning system to replace your old one, you need to make sure that it’s of high quality. York air conditioners offer unparalleled performance and energy efficiency. York heating and cooling systems are world-renowned for their reliability, and their residential models are no exception. If you want to get your air conditioning replacement right, then look for a quality brand name like York.
The most important aspect of your new air conditioning replacement system, however, is the quality of the installer. Make sure that you hire a reputable Bellevue, WA air conditioning contractor who has high standards of excellence. Call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today for excellent air conditioning services in Bellevue, WA.
Air Conditioning: How To Prepare Your Air Conditioner For Summer
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013As the temperature slowly begins to rise in Tacoma, WA, it’s finally starting to feel like spring, and fairly soon we’ll be well into the cooling season. Now is a great time to ensure that your AC works well. If you haven’t already fired it up, then make sure you do before too long. Discovering any issues early can prevent headaches later on. Our customers often want to know how they should prepare their AC systems for the upcoming summer. While there are various types of cooling systems on the market, there are some general actions to take if you want to maximize your AC’s performance this year. For more information, or to schedule excellent Tacoma, WA air conditioning services, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!
- Enroll in a preventive maintenance program. Prevention is the key to lasting performance. If you want to ensure that your air conditioner can thrive during even the hottest temperatures, make sure you enroll in a maintenance program, if you haven’t already. There’s no substitute for professional care. With professional inspection, cleaning, and tune-ups, your AC will be in good hands for the years to come.
- Change your air filter on a regular basis. We can’t emphasize this simple task enough. Far too many air conditioning systems have been ruined as a result of neglecting this key duty. By regularly changing your air filter, you are making sure that your system components are fully protected against particles of air that enter your home. Also, when an air filter becomes clogged or dirty, it can begin to impede airflow, which can reduce the performance and energy efficiency of your system, and may even cause system damage.
- Install a programmable thermostat. This cost-effective upgrade can help you save on your energy bill during the cooling season. It will also give you a way to schedule temperature changes that match your work schedule, so that you can save energy without sacrificing your comfort.
These are just a few of the things you can do to get prepared for the cooling season this summer. For more information, or to schedule exceptional Tacoma air conditioning services, call the experts at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!