We’ve talked before about the warning signs you need to schedule AC repair in Howell, MI. Your air conditioner gives off different signals when it’s malfunctioning, and strange sounds are the most common.
But strange odors are also a common cautionary sign—and they are also hard to ignore. When these strange odors come from the vents of your central air conditioning system, here’s what they might mean:
Your refrigerant-based air conditioning system doesn’t use water to cool down the air (that’s what swamp coolers do). But the process of evaporating cold refrigerant in the indoor coils of the air conditioner creates water moisture. So when you hear the sound of water dripping inside your AC, that’s part of the normal process of cooling your home. The air conditioner is getting rid of the moisture that built up.
The way it removes this moisture is with the condensate pan and drain. We’re going to look into this component of your air conditioner, because if it develops problems, you need to call us for air conditioning service in Howell, MI.
When you need a central air conditioning system in your house, what’s the best way to have it done right?
The correct answer is “3.” We hope you didn’t even consider “1,” because an air conditioning installation is an enormous task and there’s no way you can do it yourself. Unfortunately, many people are tempted to pick “2” because they think there isn’t that much difference between an amateur and a professional contractor.
But there is! And when it comes to installation, amateur work means years of trouble from an air conditioning system that can’t be repaired except with a full system replacement. We’ve seen plenty of the cheap shortcuts that amateurs take whenever we’re called on to install a replacement system for one that failed. Below are a few of the common mistakes amateur make on AC installations:
Air conditioners runs using motors and fans, so they can never run silently. However, the construction of standard split system air conditioners removes a great deal of the noise from the house by placing the compressor and exhaust fan outside. Inside the house, most of the sound will come from the indoor blower fan, water dripping from the evaporator coil, and the movement of air through the ventilation ducts.
This is the basic “white noise” of summer—until it isn’t. A rise in sounds from the air conditioner, and this includes a noisier outdoor unit as well, is a problem. And not just because it can be annoying. Let’s look into what can be done about a noisy AC.
Thermostats are among the most advanced parts of HVAC systems. Even the simple ones have such an important part to play that no homeowner can afford to overlook the thermostat—especially since thermostat troubles are among the most common for creating comfort issues in a home.
What’s tricky about thermostat malfunctions is that they aren’t always obviously coming from the thermostat. This is one of the reasons it’s important to have a Howell, MI, HVAC contractor on the job when you aren’t receiving the comfort levels you expect from your AC or heater, or if you’ve noticed odd behavior from the HVAC system and a steep rise in energy bills.
To help you recognize a thermostat on the fritz, here’s a list of some of the most common thermostat-based problems you may run into:
Unfortunately, the need for air conditioning repair in Howell, MI can strike at any time. It doesn’t have to wait until August when the AC has already been running steadily for a few months. Even with a regular tune-up and inspection in the summer, an air conditioner can run into a problem at the start of the summer season.
It’s not fun when it happens, but if you’re vigilant about your air conditioner you may be able to catch early signs of something wrong. You’ll be able to get our First Choice technicians on the job early and prevent a bigger repair problem in the future.
There is plenty that a professional Brighton, MI, HVAC contractor can do for your house to make it more comfortable for summer. Our technicians can offer all that you need to ensure a cool home with the best indoor air quality. One of the most important services we offer—one that every homeowner will need eventually—is replacing old, outdated, energy-draining air conditioning systems for new ones.
This may be the summer you need a new AC for your home. We’ve written before about recognizing when you have an over-the-hill AC. Today we’re going to look at the positive side of needing to replace an air conditioner—all the benefits of a new air conditioner. Let’s look at what you can expect when you have our technicians outfit your personal palace with the best in an electric oasis system!
One of the most concerning problems that can affect an air conditioning system is when it becomes “leaky”—i.e. begins to leak chemical refrigerant. A loss of refrigerant doesn’t just take away the essential fluid for an air conditioner to cool down a space. It also puts the air conditioner at risk of a catastrophic breakdown due to a burnt-out compressor.
Leaking refrigerant is always a reason to call our technicians for air conditioning repair in Brighton, MI. But is it also a reason to schedule a replacement for the system? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Let’s get into the details—but always rely on the assistance of professional opinion before making a choice.
The performance of your air conditioning system is not as short-term as “will it keep my house cool today?” Great AC performance is about getting the most from the system each year for the lowest cost, and then keeping that performance level for the next year, and the next, until the point where replacement is the cost-effective next step.
When you take this long view of air conditioning performance, regular duct testing becomes a vital part. We recommend homeowners have this service done every 3 to 5 years—or right now if they haven’t done it already.
Before the warm weather settles in to stay for the middle of the year, you want to eliminate any worries you may have about your air conditioning system. The best way to do that is to call to arrange for air conditioning maintenance in Fenton, MI through our maintenance plan. Make this a step you take every spring, and you’ll have a much healthier and cost-effective AC system.
You can also do some checks on your own with a test-drive during cooler weather. This isn’t a replacement for maintenance, but a supplement. In fact, you can do the test-drive after you schedule maintenance before the actual appointment. This way, you can tell your maintenance technician about anything you’ve noticed that may be wrong, and they can focus their efforts.
To get started, simply turn on the AC during a day when you wouldn’t otherwise require it (you may need to set the temperature lower than you normally would), and look for the following:
