Why do Compressors Fail?
On most days, our HVAC systems run like a well-oiled machine. All components working together seamlessly to keep your home cool and comfortable. What happens when one of those components stops working—specifically the compressor?
Essentially the heart of your HVAC system, the compressor is located in your outdoor unit. It works hard to circulate the refrigerant through the coils of your unit while also applying energy to the coolant. Without a working compressor, your home will not have cool air. During the Spring/Summer season, especially in Florida, the compressor works overtime to keep your home air conditioned.
There are several factors that can cause the compressor in your HVAC unit to fail.
• Lack of Lubricant
• Overheating- This can be caused by dirty coils, low suction pressure or a low charge.
• Electrical Issues
• Bad Capacitor
• Low Voltage
• Electrical Spike
Signs of compressor issues include: an odd noise at the start-up of your HVAC unit, ice on the coils or loss of cool air in your home. If you start experiencing any of these issues, contact your local comfort experts at Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. immediately. Your HVAC system cannot run efficiently and effectively without it’s heart.
Furnace Upkeep & Maintenance | Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.
Did your furnace make it through Florida’s winter months? Keep your furnace in shape for next year!
1. Keep the system pipes clean. | Modern furnaces use an external intake pipe for their air supply. While more efficient, this pipe can become clogged with dust and debris.
2. Block or Close Vents. | Don’t overwork your system. Did you know that by closing vents you actually make your system work harder? It causes an imbalance in the system and forces the blower to work harder, increasing energy used. Blocking a vent with a rug or furniture can cause the similar problems.
3. Replace the filter on a regular basis. | Filters get dusty—full of pet hair and dander. It is important the change the filter as often as needed. This improved your indoor air quality and reduces the amount of energy the furnace has to put out.
4. Don’t skip annual maintenance. | Having a professional look over your system ensures that the unit is powered correctly, clean and ready to work. This annual once over can extend the life of your unit and make sure your home stays warm throughout the Winter months.
Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. is here to make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape.
Our team is available for any HVAC emergency or sign up for our maintenance plan
and our skilled professionals will keep your system running smoothly all year long!
850.267.3538
8 Signs it's Time for a New HVAC System
You made it through the Summer, but your HVAC system is on the brink? Are you unsure if your unit needs repairs or replacing? Here are 8 signs that it is time to invest in a new HVAC system for your home.
- Blowing Warm Air | If your home isn’t staying cool because your system is pushing out warm air, you have a problem. This is a sign that your HVAC unit is in need of repair. The lack of cool air could mean your compressor is failing or that your Freon levels are low. This is a sign that it might be time for a new unit.
- Poor Air Flow | If air isn’t circulating through your home and you don’t feel consistent cool air coming from your AC vents, the unit’s compressor could be going out. If one area of your home is cool and other sections are warm there could be issues with your duct work. Debris, dust and dander can clog your ducts obstructing air flow. This is bad for your system and your family’s health.
- Thermostat Issues | Sometimes the issue is not with the unit itself, but with the thermostat. One telling sign that your thermostat is causing the problem is if one part of your home is extremely cold where another area stays at the same temperature.
- System Leaks and Unwanted Moisture | If you see moisture around or leaking from your HVAC unit that is a major red flag. Your refrigerant could be leaking which could cause health concerns for you and your loved ones. If you discover pools of water near your air conditioning unit, it could mean your drain line is clogged or broken—which can be easily repaired by an HVAC expert.
- Abnormal Sounds & Odors | Listen closely. If you are hearing squeaking, grinding, groaning or grating sounds coming from your HVAC system, you have a problem. There is a slew of issues that can cause these noises. It is important to have an expert look at your system immediately. Failure to repair the unit could result in costly problem. Strange odors are also an indicator that your unit needs attention. From burned out wiring to mold, smell is an immediate warning sign that there is something wrong with your ventilation system.
- Increase in Electricity Bill | If your electricity bills drastically increases without any obvious reason for doing so, that is a strong indicator that your HVAC unit needs attention or replacing.
- HVAC Unit is more than 10 years old | When your system reaches its 10th birthday, it is usually time to upgrade your ventilation system. At this point, units tend to start needing major repairs.
- R-22 Freon | If your unit uses R-22 Freon, it’s time to upgrade. Freon is being phased out by the federal government. Because of this, the cost of Freon is steadily rising. Eventually you will have to replace your unit for a newer version that runs with a new refrigerant (R410A).
If it is time to replace your home HVAC system, call your local experts. We are here to help you find the right size and most efficient unit for your home. Schedule an appointment with our team today- 850.267.3538.
Why is it Important to Clean Your Air Ducts?
Did you know that dust, dander and dirt can clog your air ducts compromising the air quality of your home? Poor indoor air quality can cause allergies, asthma and illness. Ensuring that your air ducts are clean and clear of the debris has the following benefits.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
The HVAC unit breathes air in and out of your home—like lungs. The HVAC system circulates air 5-7 times per day causing a build-up of contaminants and dirt. These pollutants are then filtered again through your home. Cleaning your air ducts greatly improves your home’s air quality.
Energy Savings
When your air ducts are dirty, you HVAC system has to work harder to cool your home. This uses more energy and reduces the life of your unit. When your system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool, improving its effectiveness.
Removes Unpleasant Smells and Odors
Pets, tobacco use, food smells and more circulate through your home. When dust and dirt collect in you ducts, it absorbs these smells causing a musty scent that then circulates through your home. An in-depth duct cleaning removes all odor trapping articles resulting in a fresher smelling home.
Click HERE to learn more about this service or call 850.267.3538 to schedule a duct cleaning appointment.
Is your HVAC System on your Spring Cleaning To-Do List?
Spring is here and it is time to clean house. Between cleaning baseboards and ceiling fans, it is easy to forget about your HVAC unit, but proactively maintaining your HVAC system is imperative to the health of your home!
Prepare your system for the summer season with an overall cleaning of the air handler, grilles, fans, motors, housings and coils.
Improve the overall air quality of your home by cleaning your air ducts! Don’t miss the cracks and crevices. Cleaning your air ducts removes dust, dander, allergens and more from your home and improves air flow efficiency.
We are here to help you check these items off of your to-do list! Leave your HVAC cleaning and maintenance to Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc! Call 850.267.3538 to schedule spring cleaning for your system.
A Two Way Operation | Return-Air Problems Solved
If you are experiencing unbalanced air temperature throughout your home or business, you might have encountered a return-air problem.
A reoccurring issue seen in homes with a single return-air grille is an inefficiency in air-flow. Often resulting in return air struggling to find its way back to the indoor fan coil. Typically resulting in room-to-room pressure imbalances that can cause uneven room temperatures, unsatisfactory climate, added energy costs, and potential mildew or moisture on ceilings and in walls.
When an indoor fan coil is initiated, conditioned air is pushed through air ducts to registers in each conditioned room in a house. If the forced-air system is designed correctly, the home includes return-air ducts to relay air back to the indoor fan coil to be conditioned again, in a continued circle.
While most HVAC contractors recommend a builder install ducts and registers to deliver conditioned air to every room in a house, often the builder’s budget may not allow for additional or adequate return-air paths from each room leading back to the indoor fan coil. Return-air grilles are not commonly found in each room; instead, there’s often just a single large return-air grille in the living room or a central hallway to accommodate the entire home’s atmosphere. One system is forced to work over-time; the forced-air system must pull all of the home’s air requirements through that single grille before it can be conditioned by the indoor fan coil or cooled by the air-conditioning system.
Guidelines and Best Practices
Suggestions for possibly solving the pressurized-room issue. Elect one of the following:
- Installation of a return air grille
- A through-the-wall transfer grille connecting the bedroom and the adjacent hallway
- A crossover duct (a jumper duct) connecting a ceiling grille in the bedroom with a ceiling grille in the hallway.
The most effective of the suggested solutions tends to be the most expensive: the installation of a return grille ducted back to the furnace in every conditioned room of the house.
A more cost effective solution, through-the-wall transfer grilles, tend to allow too much noise transmission.
The final suggestion, the addition of a crossover duct connects a ceiling grille in each bedroom with a nearby ceiling grille in the hall. The cross-over duct may allow for more sound than the first option, less than the trough-the-wall transfer. To prevent unacceptable heat loss or heat gain, it’s best to limit the installation of crossover ducts to homes with insulation that follows the roof slope.
For additional information regarding how to have the most efficient air quality and temperature balance call the Comfort Experts at (850) 267-3538. Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc of Santa Rosa Beach has served Okaloosa & Walton Counties for over 32 years and we continue to ensure your home and business comfort.