Basic Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Steps

If your air conditioning unit isn’t working as intended, you might want to consider air conditioning repair. But before that, you could also perform some troubleshooting steps that could solve the problem right away. There are a number of things that you could do. These normally involve doing certain steps that don’t require in-depth technical knowledge. This means you don’t have to worry about damaging your air conditioning unit.

Steps to take before considering air conditioning repair

Check your thermostat and make sure that it is set to a temperature that’s lower than the current room temperature. This is the first thing that you should do and the thermostat must be set to “cool” to ensure that it is indeed set to cooling state. Also, be sure that your thermostat has fresh batteries. The next thing on the list is checking the power. Switch the air conditioning unit on and set the fan from “auto” to “on”. In case the fan doesn’t turn on, the control must have been damaged or there may have been a power issue. If the blower is working as intended, it indicates power. On the other hand, if the blower or compressor does not turn on, you might want to call a professional for air conditioning repair Florence. During your initial check, check the condenser if it is working. Turn the fan to auto and set the switch to cool. Afterward, turn the thermostat to a temperature that is lower than the actual room temperature. Check the circuit breaker panel if in case the fan works but the condenser doesn’t. To dig a little deeper, there is a button located near the refrigerant lines that will allow you to check if things are working correctly. Press the button firmly and hold it for a couple of seconds. If there is still no cooling, move on to the larger pipes of the condenser. If it is warm, it indicates a problem with the compressor of the HVAC system. Either the compressor is turned down or it is not working at all. If the copper line is cool, it also suggests some other problems that may include airflow issues that normally suggests clogged filters. When the Freon charge in the pipes drop, it could lead to freezing. If this occurs, shut the system down and let the ice melt and let the condensed water drip. After doing so, turn the system back on and see if the freezing occurs. If it still does, it is time to call in a professional to have it fixed.

Call Florence HVAC Experts now to inquire about their air conditioner maintenance services.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/basic-air-conditioning-repair/

Tips For Finding A Quiet HVAC System For Your Home

Based on your system’s location, along with its features and size, the HVAC unit’s sound can affect your quality of life at home. Homeowners dream of having a comfortable house but never at the expense of a setting that is peaceful and quite. The appropriate HVAC unit for your house must not drown your activities or even wake you up in the wee hours of the night. If you are looking for a brand new unit for your house, you have to know how to choose the quietest HVAC system.

The Decibel Ratings Of The HVAC System

All HVAC units have a dB or decibel rating that correlates the sound’s intensity. The system is quieter if it has a lower decibel rating. As you research and compare units, you have to think about the decibel ratings of different brands and models. Many people think one sound should be twice as loud as the other one whenever sounds are around 10dB apart. Here is a guide to help you out.

• 50dB is much like a quiet conversation at home
• 60dB is comparable to a conversation at a restaurant
• 70dB is “annoyingly loud” and it is much like the sound of a vacuum cleaner
• 80dB is comparable to the sound created by a garbage disposal

With these examples, most homeowners can look for a quiet Florence HVAC unit that is below 60dB. The quietest HVAC systems have a decibel rating that range between 50dB and 60dB. Search For Features That Reduce Sound Why is a heating and cooling unit noisy to begin with? An HVAC unit is an intricate machine that comes with several moving parts that rattle because of the intense vibrations that happen when it is running. These sounds, usually linked to the starting and stopping of the fan, are the main reason behind the most common HVAC related noise pollution. If the weather is extreme outside, the system will function at its highest decibel, because the unit is working overtime to make sure the inside of the house has a comfortable and stable temperature. Outdoor elements like twigs or leaves that may have fallen into your unit could create other irritating sounds. Apart from searching for a system that has low decibels, be mindful of these features, which can assist in minimizing the sound from your system.

• Variable speed fans
• Noise reduction fan blades
• Compressor insulation mounts
• Insulated base pans

Importance Of General Preventive HVAC Maintenance

Just like all other appliances, preventative maintenance can help make sure that your unit runs efficiently and reaches its maximum lifespan Have your unit checked by an HVAC contractor at least once a year to prevent potential issues from worn parts, refrigerant leaks, loose screws and bolts, as well as outdoor debris.

Choosing The Right Size HVAC System For Your Home

The size of the HVAC system plays a crucial role with noise. In case you do not select a system that is large enough to cater the size of your house, the decibel number will not matter because your HVAC unit will be noisy since the fan will running all the time. We highly recommend that talk to an HVAC contractor who can help address the needs of your home. Aside from the square footage of your house, as well as the weather condition in your area, a professional and experienced contractor will take into account specific factors like the ceiling height and the kind of insulation that you have in your house. Be very careful with the idea that a bigger unit is the answer to his problem. Although a large unit can cool your home fast enough, it would also shut down before it goes through the whole cooling cycle. Heat will get back in and the HVAC system will have to turn on once again and repeat the exact same process. This cycle will need more energy and can significantly increase your electric bill. Apart from that, it will also cause wear and tear to your HVAC system that is already overworked. You have to do your research if you want to find the best HVAC system for your home. Know what makes a unit noisy and what features can help minimize these sounds.

Call Florence HVAC Experts if you need help in choosing the best and quiet HVAC unit for your home.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/tips-finding-quiet-hvac-system/

Air Conditioner Maintenance Every Florence Homeowner Should Know

Regular air conditioning maintenance is extremely important and necessary during summer when you will be using your cooling unit for longer hours. Aside from properly cleaning your indoor and outdoor units as well as changing or washing your filters, there are other important aspects of maintaining your air conditioner. Read below to find what these are.

Basic Air Conditioner Maintenance Guide

There are some things you will need to do before starting your air conditioner for the first time. It is highly recommended that you do these days before summer to ensure your air conditioner is ready to serve you in the coming warm days. Plus, should you find your unit has problems, it will be easier for you to seek professional assistance.

1. Make sure the outdoor unit – the condensing unit – is not covered with dust and debris like leaves and branches. The unit needs to be able to draw in the air freely without any hindrances to effectively function and operate.
2. Ensure you have clean filters. If your unit uses disposable filters, purchase additional filters as you will most likely be replacing them more often during summer as you continue to use your air cooling unit for longer hours. If it uses washable filters, make sure you wash them at least once a week. Keep in mind that air that is blown throughout your houses passes thru these filters. They need to be clean and free of clog to ensure smooth airflow.
3. Check your thermostat Most homeowners panic when their air conditioner does not function properly when the only problem is they have not properly adjusted the thermostat settings. Make sure that your thermostat is in the right setting so as not to cause damage to your air conditioning unit.
4. Inspect all access panels of your air conditioner. Screws may become lose even if you are not using your unit. Either way, you still need to check them to ensure they are secure and tight.
5. Regularly remove debris that has accumulated around or near your condensing unit. Keep in mind that leaves, dust, papers and other debris are blown by the wind on a daily basis. So even if you cleaned and removed debris from your condensing unit before you use it for the summer, this debris can come back in a week or a couple of days. To ensure, your condensing unit is free of debris, clean it at least once a week.
6. Hire a Florence air conditioner maintenance professional to clean your unit before the summer season begins. This will ensure that your unit is properly and efficiently cleaned before and after you use it during summer.
7. Avoid cleaning your air conditioner by using your garden hose to spray water over it. There is a proper way of cleaning your heat pump. Cleaning it with water is dangerous considering it is an electrically powered machine. You might be doing more harm to your unit than cleaning it if you used water. Keep in mind that water and electricity when combined may result in electrical shock or a short. Thus, it is highly recommended that you hire professionals to clean your air conditioning unit.

Regular checkups by professionals 

These checkups are an important aspect of maintaining an air conditioning Florence as these help you discover if there are problems with your air conditioner before we are in the hot summer temperatures. They are especially helpful in identifying small potential problems so you can resolve them earlier before they lead to large, more damaging and costly problems. According to experts, you should have your air conditioner checked by trained and skilled professionals like Florence HVAC Experts at least once a year, particularly every spring. This is the best time for a checkup as it will give you sufficient time to repair and resolve any problems before the summer season when you will need your air conditioner the most.

A basic air conditioner checkup includes:

• Inspecting thermostat to ensure proper operation
• Checking of all electrical components, wirings, and connections
• Oiling motors and other components as necessary
• Checking for smooth and unhindered airflow
• Checking for the proper level of Freon and looking for signs of Freon leakage
• Properly cleaning of coils to ensure smooth and filtered airflow

Call Florence HVAC Experts now to inquire about their air conditioner maintenance services.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/air-conditioner-maintenance/

How To Minimize The Cost of Running Your Florence Air Conditioning Unit

Hotter days are fast approaching and as much as you enjoy fresh air coming in through your home windows, it is also time to get your yearly service. Have you ever thought about what is required to run your Florence air conditioning unit? When you compare running your central air conditioning to an electric fan, the distinction is remarkable. In today's financial situation, we are all searching for means to conserve a couple of bucks.

What makes your Florence air conditioning unit run?

There are several factors that affect the cost of running your Florence air conditioning unit, such as the location of your residence, the amount of shade around your residence and the amount of cooling your air conditioner needs to cool the entire home. In Florence, summers are expected to be hotter every year, thus the need for your air conditioning unit to work extra hard to maintain a certain level of convenience. If you are considering a new home, you may want to get a copy of the energy bill or expense of the house you are considering. Try to ask for a copy of the bill from the last three years as well, because the climate condition from year to year will make a huge distinction on the expense of running the ac system. An additional factor that influences the expense of running your air conditioning unit is the efficiency rating of the device. Most home appliances have been rated and your ac system will have a tag that indicates the quantity of power that it will use. When you go out to buy a new air conditioning unit, be sure to get one the uses very little electrical power to save on energy cost. If you have an old unit that is more than ten years and are not sure of its efficiency rating, seek help from heating and cooling professionals to get an estimate on a brand new unit. The dimension of the cooling system versus the house-cooling capacity is an additional aspect to think about. All central air conditioning units are available in various dimensions. Each dimension specifies the quantity of space it is particularly made to take care of. When you are buying a new unit, make sure that the capacity of the unit to cool the size of your room is proportional. This step could make a big distinction in your energy expense-- where you set your thermostat. It is obvious that your air conditioning unit will not run as often when you have a higher thermostat setting. By maintaining your thermostat over the 78-degree level, you could conserve as much as 20% in cooling costs.

Florence Air Conditioning

In Florence, locals are mostly from the north where houses do not utilize heat pumps. Most people in other parts of the country are used to lowering the thermostat when away from home for a long period; then turn on the air conditioning unit once they get back. But using a heat pump does not really help you save on energy costs. This is because heat pump coils work harder to keep the temperature level down thus needing more electric power. One way to minimize cost is to set a suitable temperature level and leave it at that setting.  How To Minimize Electrical Costs

• Clean or replace air conditioning filter
• Reduce the temperature level of your hot water heater to 120 degrees
• Wash on full load and utilize the power cycle on the clothes dryer or just hang your clothing on an old made garments line.
• Change older incandescent light bulbs with the brand-new fluorescent lights-- you will certainly conserve approximately 75% on your light costs.
• Caulk home windows, doors as well as pipelines where air could leak from your house.
• Have your air ducts cleaned and checked for leaks. A leakage in a duct could create as much as a 25% decrease in the performance of your a/c unit.

If you have any more questions about minimizing air conditioning costs, you can call Florence HVAC Experts. They can clean your duct, change your filters as well as provide your air conditioning system a total check.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/minimize-cost-air-conditioning/

How Can You Lose Your HVAC Warranty?

A lot of people do not know it, but it is actually very easy to void your HVAC warranty claims. You wouldn’t want to find out that you made a mistake and winded up forfeiting your warranty after the fact. HVAC systems are not cheap and they are machines that are made of complicated parts. You have to learn how to be proactive and understand the many different ways to maintain your HVAC unit along with the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with it. Listed below are three ways that you may accidentally void your HVAC warranty. Neglecting Annual Maintenance The correct HVAC maintenance is important when it comes to making sure that your unit runs efficiently and lowering the risk of unit breakdowns. However, it will not just decrease the possibility of breakdowns by as much as 95% and cut down your energy bills by as much as 30%, it’s likewise a prerequisite for your manufacturer’s warranty. The majority of warranties require the HVAC system to be installed, fixed, and maintained by a licensed HVAC contractor only. If you believe that you will get to save some money without scheduling annual HVAC tuneups by a professional, you might be in for a rude awakening. Schedule your HVAC tuneup now if you have not done so already. Regardless of the company you hire like Florence HVAC Experts, don’t forget to keep a record of your maintenance visits as you can use this for future warranty claims. You might be asked to present a written documentation of your customer service visits. So, in case you have misplaced your documentation, you have to consult your HVAC company first. It is important for you to schedule annual maintenance with the help of an HVAC contractor Florence not just because you have to meet the warranty requirements but also for safety, comfort, as well as energy savings. Improper Parts and Installation You have to hire a professional and licensed HVAC contractor to repair and install your HVAC system. If you try to save a few dollars by using the cheapest installers and parts may put you at risk for much higher breakdowns, safety problems, inefficient, operating costs, and even a voided warranty. You should also be careful of part timers as well as “handymen”. A few good red flags to watch out for include non original equipment manufactured or non-OEM and off-brand. Be sure that you hire a technician who is bonded, licensed, and insured. Don’t forget to do your research before you choose a technician to install or repair your unit. Forgetting To Register Generally, you have to register your warranty within 60 days after your unit is installed. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail. The warranty covers a minimum of 10 years. Be sure that you have the proof of purchase form your HVAC contractor. What’s important is you don’t forget to register your new HVAC unit as soon as possible.

Call Florence HVAC Experts so you will have the peace of mind knowing that your HVAC warranty is kept in effect.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/how-can-you-lose-your-hvac-warranty/

Tips On How To Find A Quiet HVAC System

Some HVAC systems can be quite loud when they operate. Some could even be loud enough to wake you up in the middle of the night. While we all want to keep our homes as comfortable as possible, nobody wants to sacrifice that peace and quiet. So before you buy an HVAC system and call in your HVAC contractor Florence, check out these tips to help you find the quietest system out there:

Pay close attention to the decibel rating

If you’re oblivious to what a decibel (dB) is, it’s the measurement of sound that companies use to rate their HVAC systems. The higher the decibel, the louder the system would be and vice versa. This is the reason why when you shop for an HVAC system you should read all the details including the decibel rating. This will help you choose which one produces the least amount of sound. Ideally, it is best to settle with a system that is rated at 60 dB or less. 60 dB equates to about the intensity of sound you would hear in a restaurant, which is not loud enough that you could take notice.

Choose a system that has features to reduce sound

Before we go any further, let’s understand what makes HVAC systems noisy to begin with. A typical HVAC system has a lot of moving parts. It’s got a motor for the fans and compressors for cooling. Now, all of these moving parts translate to vibration. And when it vibrates, it produces a sound which could, unfortunately, be loud enough to be obtrusive. Also, when the weather is quite warm, your HVAC system would operate at its highest capacity to keep the inside of your home cool. When the fans and compressors are at full power, so is the noise it generates. Look for systems that have variable speed fans, insulation mounts for compressors, insulated base pan, and noise-reducing fan blades.

Choose the right size

It is important to choose the right size of the HVAC system for your home. To figure this out, it would be best to go and consult with your HVAC contractor to determine the right size. If you choose one that has a smaller capacity than what your home needs, it wouldn’t really matter if it is rated at 60 dB because it will run at full speeds all the time. In general, it helps to understand how big your home is. Normally, the size of your home is indicative of the capacity your HVAC system should have. That way, the system won’t be constantly be running at full throttle just to maintain the temperature inside your home.

Be sure to do constant maintenance

A rule of thumb is to always maintain your system. A well-functioning system is a well-maintained one. If you religiously maintain your system, you will be preserving its efficiency and you won’t have to worry about it getting louder than usual any time soon. Also, you will be increasing the lifespan of your unit if you keep it well-maintained.

Need help with your HVAC system? Give Florence HVAC Experts a call today.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/tips-on-how-to-find-a-quiet-hvac-system/

HVAC Tips For New Homeowners

Congratulations! You bought a new home. It does not matter if it is your first or third home, what is important is for you to know the systems that regulate the comfort levels in your house before they require some major repair. With this, you will be able to do preventive maintenance on your HVAC system, detect signs of problems, and avoid newbie errors. In return, your HVAC unit will provide you with optimum performance and excellent energy savings. Know Your System Did you install a boiler, mini split system, central air conditioning system, or heat pumps? After knowing how your home is cooled and heated, the next thing you need to know if what kind of fuel it utilizes. The other things you need to familiarize yourself with are as follows:

• Age – although a few HVAC systems appear to last for decades, many of them begin to see problems after 10 years.
• Efficiency rating – heating and cooling systems have EER, SEER, and AFUE ratings. The unit is more efficient if the rating is higher.
• Warranty – apart from learning the term of the warranty, you have to know what actions could possibly void it.

Maintenance Inspection Results – In case the last homeowner was able to maintain the HVAC system, they most likely have hired an HVAC contractor to maintain the unit on a yearly basis. Don’t forget to ask for the inspection reports to find out about the kinds of problems the unit might have experienced in the past so you would know what issues you might face down the road. Replace The Air Filters Among the most effective yet simplest ways to make sure your HVAC unit remains in good shape is to replace the air filters as often as required. The frequency commonly range between one and sixth months. Some systems come with thermostats that remind users when it is time to change the filter. Clear The Area Around The Outdoor Unit A well maintained landscape does more than just make the exterior of your home beautiful. It can help improve the performance of your HVAC Florence. However you have to make sure that plants, trees, shrubs, as well as other foliage must be at least three feet away from the outdoor unit. Garden tools, furniture, toys, and other garden supplies should be kept away from the outdoor unit as well. Don’t Close The Vents If you are trying to cut costs on heating and cooling expenses, it is not recommended to close the vents. Although it will help you save money, closing the vents will force your system to work harder than it should to make sure that your home comfort levels is where you want to be. Because of this, an experienced HVAC contractor will never recommend blocking the vent registers with any object. In case you only just want to cool or heat specific areas of your house, you have to talk to an experienced HVAC expert like Florence HVAC Experts about making different zones.

Call Florence HVAC Experts if you have any concerns about your HVAC system whether you are first time homeowner or not.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence,SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

http://florencehvacexperts.com/hvac-tips-for-new-homeowners/