We’re still dealing with warm temperatures here in Chicagoland, and can expect them to keep up for a few more weeks before the time comes to start firing up our furnaces or other heating systems. The stress on your air conditioner during the last few months is often enough to lead to a malfunction that will affect your household’s comfort. One of the warning signs that this is happening is when you discover a room in the house that feels hotter and stuffier than the others.
ServiceMax Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Why Is This Room Hotter Than the Others? Is It the Air Conditioning System?
Monday, September 14th, 2015Watch Out for Air Conditioner Capacitor Problems!
Monday, August 31st, 2015In our last post, we discussed some issues your air conditioning system might face at the close of the summer. It’s always a smart idea to see to any repairs your air conditioner may need right away, even as the weather begins to cool off. You may still need the AC to work for you in September, and the earlier you have any fixes done, the less expensive they are likely to be.
A Few Air Conditioning Problems to Watch for at the End of the Summer
Monday, August 24th, 2015Summer is coming to an end, although we can still expect some lingering heat through the early autumn. The air conditioning system in your home has probably spent most of this last season working hard, and all that stress and wear could possibly cause the system to break down. During these final weeks of hot weather, make sure that you pay close attention to some of the warning signs that your AC is having trouble. (And don’t wait to have any problems fixed in the spring! The sooner repairs are done, the less expensive they will be.)
How Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leaks Start
Monday, August 3rd, 2015Among the many different problems that can occur in an air conditioning system, one of the most common (and serious) is a leak along the refrigerant lines that allows the liquid/gaseous refrigerant to escape. Refrigerant, sometimes known as “Freon,” is essential for an AC to work, and if the level should ever drop, the system will not only start to work poorly, it could suffer from a catastrophic breakdown. When refrigerant leaks happen, you need to call on professionals who will 1) locate the leaks, 2) seal them, and 3) recharge the refrigerant to its proper level.
What did I do wrong that caused these leaks?
Don’t worry: you almost certainly aren’t at fault for refrigerant leaks. The unfortunate part of this problem is that it is difficult to prevent and almost impossible, even for professionals, to notice before it starts. You must simply be vigilant about your AC’s performance and call on repair technicians immediately. Regular maintenance will also catch any leaks when they are still small.
Now, as to what causes the leaks in the first place: formaldehyde. You are probably unaware of it, but this chemical is a common pollutant in residential air, and even with excellent air purifiers it is hard to remove it entirely. Formaldehyde causes something known as formicary corrosion along copper lines, such as those in an AC, as it leaves formic acid along the surface. Although copper is resistant to most forms of corrosion, formicary corrosion is an exception. It’s almost impossible to notice along copper surfaces until it weakens the metal to the point the leaks occur.
Any AC over four years old is susceptible to this kind of corrosion, and high-efficiency air conditioners are more likely to suffer from it because they have narrower refrigerant coils to help with heat exchange. Make sure that you have quality air conditioning technicians to help you in Winnetka, IL in case your air conditioner encounters refrigerant leaks.
Malek Heating & Cooling offers 24-hour emergency air conditioning repairs in the Chicagoland area.
Your Air Conditioner Won’t Last Forever: 3 Signs You Should Replace It
Monday, July 20th, 2015It would be wonderful if a home’s air conditioning system never needed to retire. In fact, many people treat their AC as if it will continue to perform its important function until the end of time (or until they move out of their home). But like any mechanical system that does an enormous amount of work, an air conditioner will eventual age to the point where it is too worn to effectively do its job and it must be replaced. Below are three major indications to watch for that will tell you it’s time to call HVAC professionals and arrange to have a new air conditioning system installed.
How to Clean an Air Conditioner’s Filter
Monday, July 6th, 2015When it comes to maintaining an air conditioning system for a home, most of the work should stay in the hands of HVAC professionals. Once a year, usually in spring, arrange to have a technician come to your home and inspect the components of your AC and provide cleaning and adjustments. This will help your air conditioner work through the summer at maximum energy efficiency and minimum repair troubles.
How to Get Your Aging Air Conditioner to Work Better
Monday, June 29th, 2015A quality air conditioning system can often last for around 15 years, maybe more, while still providing the right level of cooling for a home and without wasting energy. If you have a system that is over 10 years old and you’ve noticed that it isn’t working as well as it should (problems with cooling, increased energy bills), there are some steps you can take to make it work better. Below are a few of them.
Don’t Let a Clogged Condensate Drain Get in the Way of Your Summer Air Conditioning
Monday, June 15th, 2015Considering how many possible things can go wrong with a complex system like a modern air conditioner, it’s impressive that malfunctions are rare during most of their service lives. It helps, of course, to have professionals install an AC in the first place and to provide annual maintenance; these services will reduce repair issues to a minimum.
What Does the Expansion Valve Do in an Air Conditioning System?
Monday, June 8th, 2015The modern air conditioner is quite a marvel of engineering. The complex working of its components is the reason that only professionals can effectively diagnose and repair a malfunctioning air conditioner.
When Is the Best Time to Call for Air Conditioning Repair?
Monday, June 1st, 2015Malfunctions with an air conditioning system are not always easy to detect (unless you are a trained HVAC professional). A slight drop in the cooling levels in one of the rooms, a hissing sound from the outdoor condenser unit, an uptick in electrical bills when the AC is running, and water condensation around the indoor unit are all small indications that something is wrong with a residential air conditioner. There are larger and more obvious signs, of course, such as loud grinding sounds, constant short-cycling, or a system that won’t turn on at all.