When it comes to HVAC breakdowns, there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive any notice. And the thing is that, if your AC is going to break, it’ll happen when you need it the most—during the warm spring months and hot summer days. Higher outdoor temperatures mean the demand for AC technicians to make repairs will be higher. So, how do you go about maintaining your composure when your AC is trying your patience?
Here are some ways to keep your home and yourself comfortably cool while waiting for air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO:
Use fans: If you have ceiling fans, portable room fans or a whole-house fan, use them! Running a fan is an extremely effective and convenient way to keep the rooms in your house cool without air conditioning. Even if the fans only make a room a few degrees cooler, that’s enough to make being inside bearable. Make sure ceiling fans are set to blow air downward to create a breeze, and power on whole-house fans during the coolest parts of the day.
Open the windows at night: Run your whole-house fan at night to pull cold air into your house, but turn it off and close the windows early in the morning to trap cool air inside. If you don’t have a whole-house fan, you can put fans in the windows in the evenings to draw in cool air from outside. Create a cross breeze by cracking other windows in the room and house, but use your best judgment to avoid making matters worse.
Reduce indoor heat: One of the best ways to make a room cool without the AC or fans is to reduce interior heat gain. Without cool air from an AC to offset the heat, using the stove, oven, dishwasher, dryer and other appliances that generate heat can cause your home to become sweltering. While waiting for an air conditioner repair technician to come, eat food cold or prepared in the microwave and wait until the evening to use the washer, dryer and dishwasher.
Block out outside heat: It goes without saying that covering the windows in your home is an effective way to reduce heat and sunlight coming in from outside, so draw those shades closed when the sun is out! Hang thick, dark curtains with white reflective backings, especially in rooms that face the sun.
Wear breathable clothing: You can cool yourself down day and night by dressing in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. Since your air conditioner is out, you are going to sweat, but perspiration that forms on light and loose clothing will more quickly evaporate. Wear heavier or tighter clothing and all that perspiration will get trapped.
Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of cold water and eat healthy foods that are mostly water, like cucumbers, celery, watermelon and grapes.
Don’t wait to call an air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO after an AC breakdown. Call to schedule an appointment with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling right away!
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.
When was the last time you changed the air filter in your AC unit? If it has been a while, you may want to consider changing it sooner rather than later. According to your air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO, changing your air filter every month can greatly improve the performance of your cooling system, as well as provide you with the following benefits:
Increase your AC unit’s life: Simply changing your air filter on a regular basis can actually make your air conditioner last longer. Because your AC unit won’t have to operate as hard or as often to cool your home, it doesn’t have to put as much stress or strain on its This will likely allow you to get a few more years out of your cooling system.
Decrease repairs and breakdowns: Your air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO also recommends changing your air filter to reduce the number of repairs that you need. A clogged air filter can cause your AC unit to stop working, causing you to have to call for repairs more frequently. It also can prevent wear of the internal components, allowing your air conditioner to stay up and running longer.
Reduce your energy costs: With a change of the air filter, you can literally allow your air conditioner to breathe a little easier. It will be able to operate less often to keep your home cool, helping you to reduce your energy costs as a result. In fact, your air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO estimates that you can save 5 to 15 percent on your cooling costs just by changing the air filter each month. This is a significant benefit that can help to reduce your overall energy costs during the summer months.
Improve your air quality: When your air filter is clogged with dust and dirt, your AC unit blows it right into your home. This can cause the air in your house to fill with allergens, dust and even mold, making it harder to breathe. A clean air filter promotes improved air quality in your home, allowing allergy sufferers and family members with respiratory problems to breathe better and have reduced symptoms as a result.
Keep your home cleaner: The dust and dirt that is on your air filter also spreads throughout your home as your AC unit blows air through it. This can cause your home to get a layer of dust on its surfaces and make it more challenging for you to keep it clean. Your air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO suggests keeping your air filter clean to make sure your home doesn’t build up with unnecessary dust.
Remember that your air conditioning service in St. Louis, MO recommends changing your air filter every month, so you too can take advantage of these cooling benefits. When your AC unit needs a tune up, call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We look forward to helping you stay cool and comfortable all summer long!
With the weather heating up, your cooling costs are no doubt going up. While you want to be comfortable when it is sweltering outside, you need to get your energy costs under control in the easiest way possible. Take this advice from your AC service in St. Louis, MO on how you can reduce your home energy bill even when you have your AC running:
Invest in a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat is the first recommendation from your AC service in St. Louis, MO that can help to reduce your cooling expenses. Simply installing one of these automatic units will allow you to manage the temperature in your home when you are away. You can set the temperature higher when you will not be home and have it automatically lower when you arrive
Change your air filter: Making sure your air filter is clean is an easy way to ensure your AC system isn’t operating harder than it needs to. Dirty filters are the leading cause of air conditioner breakdowns as well as increased energy costs, as your air conditioning system will have to cycle on more often to keep your home clean. Your AC service in St. Louis, MO suggests that you change your air filter every month to maintain the efficiency of your AC unit.
Check your air ducts for leaks: If you have holes or gaps in your home’s air ducts, you may be allowing cool air to escape. This can render your AC system ineffective at cooling your home, as cold air can’t flow into the different rooms as it should. Inspect your air duct system for any damage that has occurred that may be allowing cold air to leak out before it reaches your living space.
Raise the temperature: By bumping the temperature on your thermostat a few degrees higher, you most likely won’t notice any difference in your comfort level. This simple activity can reduce your cooling costs significantly, while still allowing you to stay cool by running your AC system.
Clean your air conditioner: If it has been a while since you have had a tune up of your air conditioning system, it is a good idea to have an AC service in St. Louis, MO come and clean your unit. Dirt and debris can build up over time and cause your AC to run harder than it should have to in order to cool your home. This can help lower your cooling costs, as your air conditioner will be able to operate without difficulty.
Upgrade your AC: Now may be a good time to upgrade your AC unit, especially if it is older and not energy efficient. You will be able to purchase an Energy Star model that will operate using less energy, helping you to save on your cooling expenses each month.
Take this advice from your AC service in St. Louis, MO to help get your cooling costs under control. When you are in need of AC repairs, maintenance or installation, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We provide 24/7 emergency service to ensure our customers’ continued comfort all year long.
