As far as household maintenance is concerned, regularly scheduled maintenance for your air conditioning unit should top your list this summer. It’s your best chance at staying cool throughout the season and avoiding dreaded breakdowns. But while there are a number of air conditioner maintenance tasks homeowners can do on their won, some tasks are best left to properly trained and licensed professionals. You should never hesitate to call a professional any time you are uncomfortable with performing AC maintenance tasks yourself.
Let’s take a look at some easy air conditioner maintenance tips, brought to you by a trusted professional provider of AC service in St. Louis, MO.
Replace or clean the air filter
One of the most important air conditioner maintenance needs is replacing the air filter (or cleaning it if it’s a reusable filter). Depending on filter type and location, you should clean or replace it once every one to three months during heavy-use seasons. The air filter will be located either behind the return air grille on the wall or ceiling, in a slot near the top, bottom or side of your furnace or inside the blower compartment of the furnace or air handler.
An air filter that is full of dirt, dust, pollen and other allergen particles will significantly decrease the airflow. Your system will have to work harder than it should. As such, your energy bills will go up, and you’ll be breathing in more unhealthy particles.
Inspect wiring and components
Before starting any air conditioner maintenance, it’s imperative that you turn off the power at the main breaker or disconnect it at the outdoor unit. Remove the access panel on the condensing unit and look for signs of overheating, such as burnt or blackened wires and melted insulation on the wires. Make sure all electrical connections are tight, and replace the contactor switch if it has excessive pitting. Call your local AC expert to replace any components you don’t feel comfortable replacing on your own.
Check the condenser unit fan
With the power off, check the fan that’s mounted on the top of the outside condenser unit to ensure it’s still in good condition. Fan blades should not have any cracks or chips; if there’s visible damage to a blade, replace it. In regards to older air conditioning units, the fan motor bearings may need to be oiled regularly.
Clean the outside of the unit
You need to provide a clear space all around your AC unit for it to do its job right. Remove anything that has collected on or near the outside of the unit, like leaves, grass clippings, garbage, dust and dirt, as debris can decrease system capacity and reduce airflow. Make sure the power to the unit is shut off, and then use a garden hose to gently wash away debris. Take care not to damage or bend the fins on the coil.
If you need AC service in St. Louis, MO this summer, don’t hesitate to call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling!
These days, home air conditioning units are relatively quiet, so when they start making noises, it’s something to be concerned about. Upon the first sign of an unusual sound, you should call a professional and schedule air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO right away. Catching these issues quickly will increase your chances of having your AC unit repaired rather than needing to have it completely replaced, ultimately saving you a ton of money. Here are the most common noises you should not ignore.
A Hammering Noise
When your AC unit starts making a hammering noise, it can mean there’s a loose or broken component floating around the system. If addressed quickly, this part can be replaced or fixed without a problem. However, the longer it is ignored, the more damage it will do to the system’s interior and the more costly it will be for you to fix.
A Squeaking Sound
Your AC system’s fans and indoor blower can sometimes give off a squeaking sound that can be heard through the duct system. This will often mean that the fan or blower is on its way out and will need to be replaced. The noise is heard most often when the system first starts up, but can occur at any time.
A Rattle or Vibration
When you begin to hear a rattling sound coming from your AC unit, you’ll want to first check that outdoor debris such as leaves or branches hasn’t clogged the system. If cleaning up the debris doesn’t fix the noise, check that the unit’s casing screws aren’t loose and creating the vibrating sound. Other causes can be a loose fan or other parts that require tightening and will require an expert to repair.
A High-Pitched Hiss
When you hear a high-pitched hiss or whistle, the cause is likely a refrigerant leak. The hissing sound is caused by the buildup of internal pressure, which can be extremely dangerous. If you think your AC unit is making this sound, it’s important to turn it off right away. Some systems will have a safety feature that turns off your system automatically, and it should be left off if this occurs. Contact an HVAC expert right away so they can examine your system and perform the proper repairs.
A Buzzing Noise
If your AC unit begins making a buzzing noise, there are several potential causes. Your system might be clogged with outside debris, parts might be loose, parts may be grinding against each other or there’s a refrigerant leak. Most importantly, this sound is an indication that your AC unit is in desperate need of some professional attention.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO, call us today at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Our HVAC professionals will be able to examine your AC system and repair any necessary parts that are causing your unit to make strange noises. We offer 24/7 emergency services, ensuring none of our customers are forced to be stuck in their home without a functioning cooling system.
With summer rapidly approaching, now is the best time to make sure your air conditioning unit is working properly so you don’t get stuck having to deal with the heat. If you’re guilty of slacking when it comes to your annual preventative maintenance, then you’ll want to check things out several months before you truly need to use the unit. After you’ve let your AC unit run for a bit, there are several signs to check for. If you notice your unit is doing any of these things, then it’s likely time to get an expert to your home for a new air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO.
It’s Creating Excessive Moisture
While any AC unit will produce a decent amount of moisture, excessive fluids often mean there is a refrigerant leak in the system. Caused by natural wear and tear, leaks can be easily repaired if they aren’t too bad. However, if you have had a maintenance appointment recently, the leak may have gone past the point of no return. You’ll need to call an HVAC expert to access the situation.
It’s Not Making the Room Cooler
People tend to not notice an issue with their AC unit until it truly fails to make their home cooler, which in many cases can mean it’s too late for basic repairs. There are many possible causes of a non-functioning system. It can be something as simple as replacing the system’s filter to something as drastic as needing new ductwork or major leak repairs.
There’s an Increase in Energy Costs
When an AC unit isn’t properly maintained, it will often have to work harder in order to maintain its temperature settings. This can be caused by poor home insulation or a malfunctioning unit. If you notice an increase in your energy bills, it’s best to have a professional come take a look at your unit sooner rather than later. This could ultimately end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year.
It’s Creating Loud Noises
When an AC unit starts making loud noises that it wasn’t making before, this often means there’s a serious issue with the components of the system. If this isn’t addressed immediately, your AC unit will likely be destroyed and need to be replaced before the season is out. This noise is often due to a loose or detached part being ground by the system itself, which will eventually damage other parts of the unit.
It’s Giving Off a Burning Smell
If your AC unit is giving off any smell other than that of natural, clean air then there’s likely an issue. When a burning or smoky smell is being produced, then there’s likely an issue with the components of the system, and it should be looked at by a professional right away. This can often be experienced along with a system that’s making strange or loud noises.
If you find that your AC unit is experiencing any of these signs of excessive wear, then you should contact an HVAC professional immediately to discuss air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO. Our experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can help you determine the necessary steps to get your system working properly and will have it up and running in no time. Give us a call today to schedule a visit!
By now, you have probably heard that it is important to get seasonal checkups on your HVAC system—cooling in the spring, heating in the fall. But what exactly is involved in spring HVAC service in St. Louis, MO that makes it so important?
Here’s a quick checklist of some of the items you can expect to be included in your tune-up, and why they’re so important:
Thermostat check: The thermostat must be properly calibrated to ensure proper temperature control and energy efficient operation.
Startup: The unit must be verified as being operational before the technician can proceed with the rest of the tune-up.
Return filter: A restricted return air filter causes the unit to waste energy, which can shorten the life of the compressor.
Evaporator coil: Routine cleanings of the evaporator coil can ensure better energy efficiency. A dirty coil can lead to failure of the compressor over time.
Blower wheel: A dirty blower wheel reduces airflow through the system, which in turn increases costs of operation and can cause the compressor to fail.
Lubrication: All motors and bearings should be regularly lubricated. Improperly lubricated parts will ultimately fail.
Belt and pulleys: The technician will check the belt, pulleys and general alignment to make sure everything is in its correct position and operating as it should.
Blower motor: Blower motors should be stable and clean. A dirty motor will be less efficient and more likely to fail.
Electrical usage: Technicians check the total electrical consumption of an HVAC system to ensure it is meeting optimum performance levels.
Check for wear: In addition to cleaning and lubricating many of the system’s parts, technicians will also check for any signs of visible wear. Doing so can pinpoint potential problems before they arise and turn into expensive repair issues.
Check disconnect switch: Worn and overheated disconnect switches can blow fuses, which makes them potentially dangerous. Disconnect switches should be in good operating condition.
Clear debris: If any debris has built up around the unit, it’s important to remove it. This promotes better energy efficiency and prevents the unit from overheating and potentially suffering from major damage.
Condenser coil cleaning: Dirty condenser coils can cause the refrigerant pressures to increase, which in turn increases the electrical costs of running the system.
Condenser fan blades: If the condenser fan blades are vibrating at all, they need to be tightened. Vibrating condenser fans can damage the unit and lead to costly service calls.
Cap capacitors: Bad capacitors can lead to the motor or compressor failing in the long run.
Check controls: Performing regular checks of all system controls extends the life of the system, preventing failure and saving you money in the process.
Test refrigeration metering: Blockage or improper operation of a metering device can reduce the unit’s cooling capacity, which in turn increases fuel cost and shortens the life of your system.
This is just a sampling of what your spring HVAC service in St. Louis, MO will entail. Contact us today for more information!
Spring isn’t so far off—the days are getting longer, the birds are starting to come back for the season and before we even know it, summer will be here.
Fall and spring are the most important times of year for your HVAC system. Heading into the winter, you want to make sure your furnace is fully prepared to efficiently heat your home. Heading into the spring and summer, it’s important to know you have a system that is ready to give you cool air consistently.
Rather than waiting until the heat finally arrives, you should get an appointment for HVAC service in St. Louis, MO scheduled now. Here are just a few reasons why getting that tune-up done early is so important:
Save for the whole season: Some homeowners might not feel great about paying the initial cost of an early season tune-up, but if you end up having a major repair need later on in the season, it will not only cost you more money to make that fix than it would have cost to do the tune-up, but it will also leave you without cool air when you need it. Plus, if your system isn’t working at peak efficiency, you could actually be wasting money on unnecessary costs every month on your utility bill. This means getting your tune-up done early could actually save you money over the long term.
Longer unit life: An HVAC system is a significant investment for a homeowner. Replacements are not cheap, which is why it’s important to keep your unit running as smoothly as possible for as long as you can. Having regular inspections and tune-ups each year is the best way to extend the life of your system. Your air conditioning unit and furnace need regular maintenance, just like a car, and these yearly tune-ups are ideal to make it happen.
Greater protection: Timing is important with these tune-ups to make sure your home is cooled efficiently all summer long. HVAC technicians are not usually anywhere near as busy during the spring as they are during the summer, so you should not have any problem getting an appointment. The longer you delay, the more likely it is you’ll have to wait. Plus, if it turns out any parts or repairs are needed, there will be plenty of time to get those parts in and make the fixes before you actually need to rely on your unit for comfortable air temperature in your house.
Peace of mind: Getting the tune-up and inspection done early will allow you to rest easy knowing your system is in good condition and that you will not have to worry about any major repairs or a full system replacement. Instead, the system will get you through another season without worry!
For more information about why it’s so important to schedule seasonal tune-ups for your air conditioning and heating needs, contact our experienced HVAC service in St. Louis, MO today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
