What Should I Look for This Summer to Keep Up with AC Maintenance?

admin | July 23, 2019

Proper maintenance is crucial for optimal AC performance. As your AC unit works hard to keep you cool this summer, what issues should you look for? When should you call for AC service, and what can you do to prevent malfunctions, repairs and replacements?

When the temperature rises, use the following guide to keep your AC in top shape. Look for these issues to ensure your AC is performing at top capacity and to prevent major damage or unnecessary repairs. For additional tips, consult with your local AC service.

Check the Thermostat

Do you have a programmable thermostat? It can be tempting to set this device and forget about it for the rest of the season. But it’s a good idea to check this occasionally. Some thermostats require battery replacement. Others may be bumped accidentally, and their settings may get changed. Keep an eye on your thermostat to make sure it is functioning properly, especially if you notice any issues with your AC service. You might not need repairs to the unit. Instead, it might be a simple fix with your thermostat.

Check the Coolant

If your unit is leaking coolant, you need immediate AC service. Keep an eye on your unit so you discover any leaks right away. Look for water pooling around your air conditioner or ice on the evaporator coil. Other signs of leaking coolant are when the unit turns off and on rapidly or makes a hissing noise. Keep in mind that regulations have changed regarding freon, so you may need to replace your unit if you have a coolant leak.

Check the Air Ducts

If you notice that your AC doesn’t seem to be cooling as efficiently as it used to, this may be due to leaky air ducts. You may notice less comfortable surroundings in your home, or higher utility bills. The leaky ducts may be allowing all your cool air to escape rather than make your home cool and comfy. If you suspect that you have leaky air ducts, contact your local AC service for an inspection and repairs. You’ll save money in the long run by creating a more efficient system with tightly sealed air ducts.

Check the Operation

You should have your system inspected by a professional AC service once each cooling season. This service will allow the technician to discover any minor issues before they become major. The technician can clean the unit and tighten and repair anything that requires attention, which will reduce the amount of repairs the unit will need in the future. This consistent service can help extend the life of your AC unit and ensure you have reliable, smooth service all summer long.

Look to the Pros

To keep your AC system in top shape this summer, partner with the professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Since 1999, we’ve been the area’s go-to source for residential and commercial AC service. Reach out to us today to schedule your next preventative maintenance service. 24-hour emergency service is available!

Signs You Need to Swap Out Your Air Conditioning Filter

admin | July 10, 2019

The air conditioner often doesn’t get quite as much maintenance attention as other areas in your home. After all, it’s only used seasonally, and the main unit is located outside your house, which can make it easy for you to forget about it when you’re performing your regular cleaning tasks. However, it’s important to take some simple maintenance steps to keep your AC operating as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and part of that is changing out your air conditioning filter.

The filter ensures the air coming into your home is free of particles and contaminants, but over time it will start to get clogged up with everything it’s filtered out of the air. This means it’s necessary to change it every now and then. But how do you know when it’s time to change your AC filter? Here’s some information from an AC service in St. Louis, MO to help you out:

The equipment is running hot: If you start to notice the back of the air conditioner unit getting particularly hot, this means it is needing to work too hard to push air through the system. You can relieve some of its burden by replacing or cleaning out the filter, depending on the kind of filter in the system.
Allergies flaring up: Have you started to suffer from more frequent allergy attacks or heightened symptoms of asthma while in the comfort of your own home? If so, there’s a chance the air coming through your air conditioner isn’t being filtered as well as it should be, which is a sign that the filter is getting clogged up with debris. Trust your instincts—if you feel like you’re dealing with heightened symptoms that don’t normally occur, you should check on the condition of your filter.
Home not cooling as efficiently: There could be a variety of reasons why your air conditioning isn’t operating as efficiently as you’re used to, but one of the more common causes of inefficient operation is a clogged filter. If dirt starts to come into contact with the coils, it makes it a bit more difficult for the entire unit to function as designed. The dirtier the filters, the harder the equipment has to work to cool your home, and the more likely it is you’ll be dealing with inefficient cooling.
Higher energy bills: If you keep track of how much you’re paying on your energy bills each month and notice a sudden, significant increase, it could be a result of your filters being clogged, forcing your HVAC equipment to work in overdrive. Again, the general standard is that the dirtier the filter is, the harder the equipment has to work. Keeping the filter clean cuts down on how much the machine works and how much you have to pay for its operation.
Lots of dust: If the areas around the vents in your home seem to be dusty, this is a sign that your filter is no longer effectively removing dust particles from the air before pushing the air into your home. Check the filter, and if it needs to be cleaned or changed, do so immediately.

These are just a few examples of some of the best ways to tell if you need to change your HVAC filter. You can expect to change a filter at least a couple times a year, but it varies based on your system usage and the conditions in your home. We encourage you to contact our AC service in St. Louis, MO with any questions or concerns.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

admin | April 22, 2019

Is your air conditioner leaking water inside your home? This is a common problem reported to our AC service in St. Louis, MO. If you’ve discovered water where it shouldn’t be, this can be caused by one of several issues.

Use the following guide to better understand what’s happening with your AC unit and how a professional can repair it. No matter what the cause may be, you should shut down your unit until it can be repaired to avoid further damage to your HVAC system and your home:

Clog: Your AC unit includes a drain line that is designed to take the condensation that forms on your air conditioner out of the home. If this line gets clogged, the water will back up into your home. The line can become clogged with dust, sludge, mold or other debris. You may be able to unclog the line with a wet/dry vacuum. However, the most effective method is to call your AC service in St. Louis, MO to use a specialized vacuum to remove the blockage.
Damage: The AC drain line is designed to bring the moisture to a drain pan. Over time, these drain pans can wear out. It may become damaged or it may rust. If this is the case, the pan will no longer effectively hold water, and you will find moisture in your home instead of in the pan. You will need to replace the drain pan to repair the issue.
Break: Some AC units are located inside and feature a condensate pump that pumps the water to the exterior of the home. In some cases, these pumps fail and stop pumping water out of the home. If this happens, you’ll experience moisture in the basement around the unit, and you will need to replace or repair the pump to solve the problem.
Dirt: If your air conditioner is leaking, you should check the air filter. If this is dirty, the airflow can’t get to the evaporator coil, and the coil can freeze. When it melts, the moisture often overflows from the unit into your home. Remember to change your filter every one to three months to maintain healthy airflow and prevent leaks.
Leak: Another common reason for AC leaks is low refrigerant levels. If your unit doesn’t have enough coolant, the evaporator coil will freeze over. Similar to a dirty air filter, this situation causes the coil to freeze, then melt, sending excess moisture overflowing from your unit into your home. If the coolant is leaking, you’ll need to repair it right away or possibly replace the AC unit.

Get Answers Today

A leaky air conditioner is not something that can be ignored. If you are experiencing any of these issues, contact your AC service in St. Louis, MO right away. The professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling are ready to assist you. Since 1999, Ashley Brothers has been the go-to source for residential and commercial AC services in the St. Louis and Jefferson County area.

We specialize in the installation of new equipment, heating and cooling repair and furnace cleaning. Reach out to us today to learn more!

Eight Factors That Could Affect the Price of Installing Central Air

admin | October 24, 2018

Are you considering installing central air in your home or place of business? As an AC service in St. Louis, MO, we know that folks are not usually thinking about air conditioning at this time of year, but it is actually a great time to spring for a new air system, because then you’ll be all set when next summer rolls around!

Before investing in AC installation or AC repair in St. Louis, MO, you will probably want to know how much it is going to cost you. There are actually many different factors that could affect the cost of your AC installation. Here is a rundown of eight of those factors:

System type: Water-cooled systems, split-duct systems, heat pumps, ductless mini splits—there are a lot of system options when it comes to installing central air! Have a discussion with your HVAC contractor about what would work best for your space and budget.
Size and capacity: Getting the correct size and capacity system for your home or business is crucial, and will save you money in the long run. A system that is too small will have to overwork constantly, while a too-big unit will keep your home cool, but humid.
Energy efficiency: If you want a system with a strong efficiency rating, it will cost you a bit more upfront. However, the system will eventually pay for itself in the form of lower energy bills.
Heating: When installing new central AC, it might be a good idea to also replace your heater, as your AC and heater will need to be compatible to keep your home comfortable. This will, of course, make the entire endeavor more expensive.
Extras: Humidification systems, air purifiers and other “extras” you add to your new central air system will make your home or business even more comfortable. But they will also add to the overall cost of the replacement.
New or replacement: Are you investing in an entirely new system for your space? Or are you replacing an existing system that has needed AC repair in St. Louis, MO one too many times? A replacement will be cheaper, because you will already have the basic infrastructure for it.
Zones: Want to keep your living room cool and your bedrooms warm? If so, you will need multiple zones in your central air system. This will cost more, so talk to your AC service in St. Louis, MO about the best option for you.
Tax break: Did you know that you could get a tax break for investing in a new central air system for your commercial space? If you install the system before the end of 2018, you will qualify for one heck of a deal—in fact, you might be able to write off the entire cost on your 2018 tax return!

Are you in the market for AC service in St. Louis, MO? If so, please feel free to get in touch with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling anytime! We pride ourselves on offering reasonable rates and exceptional service.

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