Things to Notice About Your AC System

Air conditioning is a wonderful invention!  Invented in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier (the founder of today's Carrier Company), it has been continuously reshaped, remolded and improved upon by numerous people and companies over the years.  Technology has aided and simplified air conditioning repairs over the years, but the main reason for the continuous improvements are the inherent problems that come along with an air conditioning system.  These problems may be minor and easily fixed by a homeowner or renter.  The problems could also be major, costing several thousand dollars to fix by a licensed contractor.

Each A/C system has many electrical parts in it.  These parts range from a transformer to convert 240 volt electrcity down to 24 volt electricity for the thermostat controls, to control boards (large computer chips) and capacitors, which boost power to start fans and compressors.  As many of us have learned throughout our lives, and I heard directly from my Grandpa, "The more parts a piece of machinery has, the more ways it has to breakdown."  It's absolutely true!  The electrical system in an air conditioner can be rather simple or extremely complex, depending on how old a unit is and exactly what it's designed to do.  Either way, if something breaks down, it will cost money to get it repaired, and you will be uncomfortable while waiting.

Central air systems have ductwork associated with them.  In rural areas, there have been many cases of raccoons getting into an attic and tearing ductwork apart to make nests and bedding.  Sometimes, a person tries to navigate through an attic, and steps on ducts running to different parts of the home.  The duct can be smashed or pulled away from the unit's plenum.  These sorts of things inhibit airflow, and are tough to reach.  If you don't know what you're doing, you will be paying big money for these repairs too.

Since air conditioning systems pull condensation from the air, much like a glass of iced tea sitting on the table, they need to have drains.  These drains are a great invention.  They make sure the condensate is directed outside the home or to an internal drain.  Depending on weather conditions though, theses drains are subject to clog.  Think to yourself, "What grows best in a wet, warm, dark environment?"  Mildew is the answer.  This mildew can clog the drain, causing it to back up and drip from wherever the unit is.  Late model air conditioning system also have auxiliary drains too.  These come into use when the original or primary drain is clogged, but if the original problem isn't fixed in a timely manner, this drain will also eventually become clogged.  That's when you have problems!  This is just one more thing a contractor will charge a couple hundred bucks to fix.

There are other problems you can run into with an air conditioning system  too, but most are easily avoidable with regular maintenance.  I'm not one to say you're better off without an air conditioner, but I will tell you to weigh out the cost of annual or semiannual maintenance with the cost of the repairs.  It's likely you will end up paying much more for your air conditioner if you try to forget about it and take it for granted.  The highest priced repairs are the ones where people let simple problems continue to escalate.  For all the pros an air conditioning system has, it definitely has its cons.  So think of regular maintenance of your unit like insurance for your car . . . a necessary expense that can save you bundles over time.

Beat the Heat

Beat the Heat

Air conditioning as well as heating units can easily suck up more than 50% of your household energy usage and, with units working overtime to keep you cool this summer, it might be time for you to perform a couple of efficiency tests to see if the systems should be fixed or replaced. Working with All Seasons HVAC can help you save a bundle on your energy costs.

Generally speaking, Air conditioning and heater systems that are over a decade old are 20-30% less efficient as newer energy-saver models. Brand name units are 'Energy-Star' certified, meaning they are ultra-efficient and can help you save up to 20% per month on power bills. Add to that new unit innovations in comfort that reduce noise and vibration, eliminate breezes and temperature swings, and are available with prolonged warranties that will save you big money on repairs, and you can start to see all the advantages of improving your system today through All Seasons HVAC.
Heating, ventilation, as well as air conditioning systems (HVAC) provide you with the latest in residential and commercial comfort and help maintain proper airflow and climate control throughout homes and office buildings. AC replacement also can keep these spaces free from mold and other harmful organisms that can leak through old systems.

And finally, while you're certainly setting yourself up to help save a bundle on your power bill, you'll also be saving the environment as well. These energy-reducing replacements cut down not only on the amount of fossil fuel you consume, but also on your carbon footprint and actual household emissions.
Typically, most consumers arrange for periodic check-ups to ensure everything is in working order. A spring and fall check-up with All Seasons HVAC should suffice. Small problems do pop up every so often, more so when the unit gets old. Nevertheless, these issues could be taken care of quickly and with little cost if they are identified early on by using All Seasons HVAC you can catch these problems in time.

Some of the recurring actions performed by service personnel include:

- Cleaning filter systems: Removing debris and dust from your unit requires more than just looking at the interior pads. It is necessary to examine the ducts and vents too. This protects the entire system from all the potential problems that could come up. Clogs ought to be flushed in order to prevent blockages. When vents are cleaned thoroughly, effectiveness also goes up. Along with this, it is crucial to clean the area surrounding the unit.

- Tuning up: Regular tune-ups ensure that the unit is working at optimum capacity and delivering the right output. Tune-ups generally include measurement of airflow, making adjustments in refrigerant charge, testing the efficiency of the capacitor, checking levels of Freon and so on. All the coils and wires are also checked out for rust, wear and tear. Following a proper tune-up, the air conditioning unit becomes re-energized and it starts to work at its optimal capacity.

Even though some people leave off air condition repairs  until problems arise, other people invest in normal maintenance. Repair must be performed by trained professionals such as All Seasons Comfort who have the following skills:

- Preventative maintenance
- Diagnosing and fixing problems with heating and cooling systems
- Replacement of parts
- Regular tuning up of units
- Unit control adjustments
- Onsite analysis

It is necessary to hire trained HVAC professionals such as the ones at All Seasons.  Dealing with electrical appliances can be hazardous. For example, releasing burnt refrigerant into the air may have dangerous repercussions. Having a trained professional on the job ensures safety as well as quality work.

Contact All Seasons Comfort today for all your heat and air conditioning needs!

All Seasons Comfort - heating and air conditioning

Horrible Installation Today

Performed an installation today that didn't go well. We were installing a 4 ton, 16 SEER system unit, and things went wrong from the first 20 minutes on site when we learned that the condensing unit was bolted to the slab.  We didn't have a sawzall to cut the bolts because I had left it at home for another project.  We couldn't start welding the copper lines because the can of Rx-11 was empty.  Since my tools were stolen a month or so ago, I didn't have a swage kit, so I had to weld a bunch of fittings in place to seal the lineset.

Worst of all, when the unit started running, we were ready to test the unit, the heater came on and heated the house up to 100 degrees at 8pm.  We finally found a new thermostat to install, and our problem was solved.  It felt like Mr. Murphy was sitting on our shoulders reminding us of his laws and letting us know that everything was going to go wrong.

In all, it took 10 hours to complete what should have taken 5 to 6 hours to complete.

Your Furnace in a Cold Snap

The worst time to find out there's something wrong with your furnace is the first day of a chilly snap. We all procrastinate and also have no worries regarding our central air system until it's gone. Without routine maintenance and repair, you may find your family "out in the cold" whenever temperatures fall.  Gas furnaces are well-liked for their ability to heat an area quickly and easily, however it is good practice to get your device inspected once a year to  be sure that everything works properly. This way, you can make certain that it is there for you when you need it. Don't worry and wonder whether your own equipment is gonna be functional whenever you flip that thermostat to heat. With All Seasons Comfort in your corner, you can be confident your equipment is in good shape, and if you have an emergency or even unexpected circumstance.  

Heating repairs by reputable heating contractors are in high demand when cold snaps hit.  All Seasons Comfort is here to help, as are many other HVAC contractors.  Heater repair and furnace repairs are just as important when it's cold as AC repairs are when it's hot.  Don't be left in the cold.

Federal Energy Star Tax Credit a Thing of the Past

 The Tax Credit for everyday household appliances with an Energy Star certification is almost over.  On the 31st, it disappears for good.  The only credits available will be for the high priced items like solar water heaters and geothermal heat pumps.  Those last until 2016.

Replacing the tax credit for a short time will be the mail in rebate for Energy Star appliances and HVAC equipment worth up to $1000.  This rebate is on a first come, first served basis though, so you have to move  fast.  There was actually a time where you could have taken advantage of both incentives at the same time.  That was between December 20th and December 31st.  It's gone now though, so say bye bye to the big stuff before too long. 

I'll be sure to keep you informed of manufacturer's rebates that come up so you can get more help paying for a new unit and saving on utilities for the foreseeable future.  I've seen some manufacturer's rebates for up to $1300.  That's still nice to combine with the CPS credit and the mail in rebate while it's still available.

Have a great new year!!

Federal Tax Rebate for Energy Efficient Homes Expiring | Money Watch Finance

Federal Tax Rebate for Energy Efficient Homes Expiring | Money Watch Finance

All of The Ads That Google Puts Around My Blog Entries.

Do you see all the ads around this page? There are ads for Sears, Rheem, Trane, various A/C companies and all kinds of things related to air conditioning units, services and installations.

Do me a huge favor, please? Don't click on them or use their services! My company is right here, and we can do all the same stuff for you any of these guys can do. We can probably do it cheaper than them.

If you feel it necessary to click anywhere, click on the link to my website.

http://www.allseasonsac-sa.com

You'll be able to learn a lot, and contact me or someone at my company to get the things done that you need done.

I just wanted to offer up that public service announcement.