Brown's Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

How to Detect an AC Refrigerant Leak (And Why This Matters)

Monday, September 14th, 2020
refrigerant-line-behind-air-conditioner

There’s a fairly common misconception about AC refrigerant that often leads homeowners to mistakenly put their climate control systems in harms way. What is that misconception? That refrigerant is a fuel.

Yup, many people think that refrigerant depletes from an air conditioner like gasoline does from a car. This is a dangerous misconception, unfortunately. That is, it’s dangerous for the air conditioner itself. The problem is, if your air conditioner is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak. And if there’s a leak, a number of problems can occur, not excluding a complete air conditioner break down. So what should you do about it?

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6 Sounds You Don’t Want Your AC Making

Monday, August 17th, 2020
woman-listening-closely-with-hand-to-ear

With the way technology is going, it seems like by now there’d be a way for our air conditioners to diagnose themselves when there is a problem, and shoot us a text message telling us what the problem is. This actually probably isn’t too far off in the future, but for now, it’s not a reality.

This means that homeowners have to rely on other methods to detect the warnings their cooling systems are sending out. Maybe it is a drop in cooling power, or an unexpectedly high utility bill. Or, you may have HVAC circuit breakers that are constantly tripping.

One of the most common signs, however, that something is amiss with your cooling system is strange sounds. A “strange” sound is really anything outside of the normal noises you hear when your AC runs. You hear it every day, so if something alarming comes up, it’s best not to ignore it.

We’ve listed six of the most common sounds people call us about, below.

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Should You Go Ductless This Year?

Monday, August 3rd, 2020
ductless-air-handler

If you’re coming across a blog about installing a new HVAC system this time of the year, chances are that there is a little desperation behind the decision–you need an effective and efficient cooling system and you need it now.

But as tempting as it is, we really have to encourage you to slow down. This is not a purchase you want to rush into, as you can be matched with the wrong AC system for your house, or even matched with the wrong sized air conditioner for your home, which can lead to efficiency and performance problems later on down the line.

Additionally, while you may have always had a ducted system, you could do well to consider the benefits of going ductless! Read on as we uncover some of the perks of this option.

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“What Is Short-Cycling, And Is It Really That Bad?”

Monday, July 20th, 2020

Residential air conditioners go through a lot throughout the years, particularly in our area. Wear and tear can lead to issues like refrigerant leaks, failed capacitors, and even breached air ducts. Fortunately, most of these repairs can be pretty simply fixed by our technicians and even prevented with routine maintenance.

There’s one thing that natural wear and tear shouldn’t lead to though, and that’s short-cycling. Wondering what short-cycling is?

Listen to your air conditioner–really listen to it! When the compressor cycles on, it should do so long enough for the temperature in the room to reach the desired setting on your thermostat. If it doesn’t reach this temperature, but cycles back off, only to cycle back on and repeat the failed process a few minutes later then it is short-cycling. Why does this matter?

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AC Compressor Failure: Do You Repair or Replace?

Monday, July 6th, 2020
ac-compressor-inside-ac-outdoor-unit

So, you’ve been told (or you suspect) that your air conditioner’s compressor has failed and is the cause of your cooling system breakdown. The next question is, should you pay to have your system repaired, or should you have it replaced? Before we answer this, we have to explain the role of the compressor in your air conditioner.

If the thermostat serves as the brain of your AC, then the compressor is the heart. It’s what enables the refrigerant process so that your air conditioner will actually do the job it was designed to do. When the compressor fails, the whole air conditioner fails along with it. Sure, your fans might still run, but you won’t feel any cooled air coming out through the vents.

When you ask “Should I repair my air conditioner or replace it,” in this case, what you’re really asking is if you should replace the compressor or buy a whole new air conditioner. The latter is usually the right answer, but not in every instance.

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5 Ways to Boost Cooling Efficiency This Summer

Monday, June 22nd, 2020
outside-ac-unit-with-tools-on-top

If you’ve lived in our area for even just a year, then you know how variable our weather is. With summer here, our air conditioners are in for a lot of work. But in reality, our air conditioners get the spotlight quite a few times of the year. So, don’t you want yours to work as efficiently as possible?

Your AC can work as efficiently as possible when it’s cared for as it should be. When it’s not, you can find yourself paying a lot more for energy than you think you should have to. Some good news is that there are five very easy ways to boost cooling efficiency this summer and keep those energy bills at a reasonable level.

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Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Professional Repair

Monday, June 8th, 2020
ac-technician-tool-bag

Spring is almost officially over and summer temps are well on their way. This means that soon enough, you’ll be using your air conditioner on a consistent basis. The last thing you need when this time comes is to have a sudden breakdown and a sudden repair or replacement need when temperatures are at their highest.

The good news here is that most cooling system repair issues give out signs and symptoms well before they force the system to shut down. And while you shouldn’t ever attempt to formally diagnose or repair a malfunctioning air conditioner on your own, you can still spot the signs that you do need AC repair, and take the appropriate steps to mitigate the problem. This means giving our pros a call!

Of course, you have to know that your air conditioner has a repair need in order to call for repairs, right? Well fortunately, there are some telltale signs you can watch out for. We’ve listed a few below:

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Get Your Cooling System Ready for Summer!

Monday, May 25th, 2020
air-conditioner-with-clipboard-on-top

Summer is going to be here before we know it. With the variable weather we get, we could be hit with our first heat wave any day now. With so much indoor time, it’s important that we’re able to stay comfortable in our homes, right? Of course, this is only possible if your cooling system is performing as effectively and efficiently as possible. The only way to ensure this is the case is with a professional air conditioner tune-up, also known as maintenance.

Now is the perfect time to schedule your tune-up, too, before you need the system the most. You’ll be saving yourself from the trouble of dealing with unexpected air conditioner repair needs at the peak of summer. Read on as we uncover some of the top benefits of having professional maintenance done.

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