AllTech Services, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Is It Ever Too Late for an AC Tune-Up?

Monday, September 14th, 2020

two-technicians-working-on-outdoor-ac-unitWith the official end of summer just a week away, you may have realized you never had your air conditioner maintained for the season. It got through summer “just fine” so you may as well just wait until next year right? It’s too late to schedule an AC tune-up now, isn’t it?

Well, no, it’s never too late to schedule maintenance for your air conditioner. Unless of course it’s completely broken down to the point that there is no bringing it back no matter what type of repairs are done on it. But we’re going to guess if you’ve found yourself asking the question this blog proposes, you’re not quite there yet, right? So read on as we uncover why AC maintenance is so important, no matter what time of the year you have it done.

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Common Midsummer Cooling System Needs

Monday, August 17th, 2020

two-techs-working-on-ac-unit-with-clipboardDid you know that this is the time of year you’re most likely to have a cooling system breakdown? The reason for this is because it’s when your air conditioner goes through the most amount of work. If you have an aging system especially, components start wearing down and natural wear and tear can take hold of your air conditioner. This is even more to the point if you skipped maintenance.

If you do need air conditioner repairs this time of the year, it’s best you have them scheduled ASAP. Neglecting small repair needs now can mean in a few weeks, when you’re still using your cooling system, it could shut down on you without warning–except there was warning! Don’t let this happen to you–read on for some of the most common midsummer cooling system needs, and give us a call if you notice symptoms of this problem.

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Follow These Tips for Better AC Efficiency

Monday, August 3rd, 2020

top corner view of an outside air conditioning unitNo matter what type of cooling system you’re using to keep your home comfortable, there’s a good chance that you’d like to pay less to use it. But as we progress into August, there’s no doubt that your energy bills are going to rise. After all, our air conditioners get a lot of use during this time of the year, and go through a lot of stress as a result.

If your air conditioner isn’t working as efficiently as possible, this exacerbates the problem. If you find yourself paying too much to cool your home and are unsure if there’s any way to change that, we have good news! There are a few ways to change this. Read on to learn more. 

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“Why Is My Air Conditioner Hissing?”

Monday, July 20th, 2020

close-up-view-of-refrigerant-lineDon’t worry, you probably don’t have a snake hiding anywhere in your system. Besides, the “hissing” we’re referring to sounds more like air being let out of a tire. Alternatively, you may hear bubbling if this particular air conditioner problem is occurring. What problem is that, you ask?

Refrigerant, leaving then AC system.

Before we go any further, we need to clear up a common misconception. Refrigerant is not meant to leave an AC’s system. Ideally, upon manufacturing your air conditioner has enough refrigerant to last its entire lifespan. It’s in a closed-loop system and is the fluid necessary to transfer heat. It’s quite literally the component that allows your air conditioner to actually cool your living space. So, if it is leaving the system, what does that mean, and why does it matter? Read on to find out! 

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What Is Short-Cycling and Why Is It Bad for Your AC?

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

technician-working-on-outdoor-ac-unitOne of the most common and threatening problems for an air conditioner is short-cycling. This issue is both the symptom of a problem and the cause of more problems. Although sometimes there’s a simple fix—like changing the air filter—in other cases it requires a much bigger repair, and contacting an HVAC professional right away is pivotal.

Unless short-cycling is stopped, it will eventually lead to premature AC replacement and waste a lot of energy until then.

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5 Tips to Help Your AC Run Better

Monday, May 25th, 2020

air-conditioner-with-clipboard-on-topAny air conditioning system in the Ashburn area is going to get quite the workout each summer. Fortunately, modern cooling systems are very durable and can take the heat!

But, how much do you typically expect to pay for your air conditioner use each year? The costs of staying comfortable indoors can be steep—but you could also be paying more than necessary for your energy bills. There are a number of ways that an AC system can lose energy efficiency over the years and start raising your utility bills as a result.

There are also many ways to boost a cooling system’s efficiency and cut down on your costs. We’ve shared 5 tips below on how to do just that!

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These Sounds Indicate an AC Problem

Monday, September 16th, 2019

woman-covering-her-earsDid you know the end of summer is the most likely time for your air conditioner to develop a problem? After all, it’s placed under a lot more stress than at other times of the year, and the additional wear and tear makes it more likely for various parts to break down.

It’s important that you get your air conditioner checked out by a professional if you notice any signs that it’s malfunctioning in some way. Let’s take a look at one of the more common signs that your AC system is malfunctioning—strange noises.

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What Is Hard-Starting and Is It Bad for Your AC?

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

air-conditioner-compressorPerhaps you’ve experienced this “hard-starting” scenario on a chilly winter morning at some point—the engine grinds, but it takes a few times before it turns over when you try to start it. Hard-starting can actually happen to any type of equipment that uses motors, no matter if it’s powered by electricity, natural gas, or even petroleum.

Your air conditioner is no exception. While a hard-starting air conditioning system can continue to operate and provide your home with cooled air, it’s not good for the system. It drains excess power, and will eventually cause your air conditioner to break down altogether. A hard-starting cooling system will typically make noises at startup then have trouble cooling your home down effectively.

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The Potential Causes of a Hard-Starting Air Conditioner

Monday, August 19th, 2019

residential-ac-outdoor-unitThere’s one air conditioner problem we talk about fairly often, and that’s because its presence means your air conditioner is in serious trouble. That’s short-cycling, when your air conditioner cycles on and off rapidly instead of in regular intervals like it is supposed to. It wears down on your system faster that your air conditioner would normally accumulate wear and tear, and can even be an indication that your new system wasn’t properly sized.

There’s a less common AC repair issue that’s worth mentioning too, as it can also have detrimental consequences for your air conditioner, and that’s hard-starting. Hard starting is when you hear your air conditioner struggles to come on but then sort of “booms” when it finally does.

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How to Keep Your AC Working Well

Monday, July 8th, 2019

ac-outdoor-unit-with-tools-on-topFirst off, let’s define what “working well” means. To you, it may mean that it’s blowing cool air. It’s making you feel “comfortable,” even if you feel the need to crank the thermostat down to 70°F in order to make your living space, well, livable.

What if we told you that you should have higher standards for comfort? If you need to turn your thermostat down that low just to get your air conditioner to work, then it is not “working well.” It’s working inefficiently. What we mean when we say an air conditioner is working well is that it’s operating as efficiently as possible. So, how do you maintain that? Read on!

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