Symptoms of a Broken AC Motor

September 12, 2019

Dealing With a Broken AC Motor understands the stresses that a faulty air conditioner can cause. One of the issues that some systems have is a broken air conditioner motor. This could cause inefficient cooling and cause a variety of problems down the road. There are several signs that could indicate a problem with a motor. Signs the Motor May Be Broken If your AC unit is starting to make a strange noise, it could quite possibly be the motor. You might hear humming or a rattling sound. If there are any unusual noises coming from your system, it’s time to have a professional take a look at it. A faulty air conditioner motor might not be able to turn off when it needs to. If you still hear the motor running even though you’ve turned the AC system off, you might have a problem. While it might be tempting to ignore the problem, it could cause major issues in the future. Another sign of a motor on the fritz is one that cycles on and off unexpectedly. If you’re noticing that the motor cuts in and out when the AC unit is on, it’s time to have it looked...

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How Does an AC System Work

July 5, 2019

How Your AC System Works A lot has changed in the 100 plus years since the invention of the first modern air conditioning system. However, today’s central air conditioners still work using many of the same basic principles. So how does a central air conditioner work? The Science of Heat Transfer The job of an air conditioner is to transform warm air in cool air, but it does not actually make cold air. Instead, it removes the heat and humidity from the warm air, transfers it outside, and then returns cooled air back into the house. This entire process is made possible through the science of heat transfer, refrigerant, and an air conditioner’s three main mechanical components: Compressor unit Condenser coil Evaporator coil Refrigerant is a special chemical that travels through the air conditioner’s tubing. As the refrigerant passes through to the compressor, it is put under pressure, which raises its temperature and converts it to gas. The gas continues to travel outdoors to the air conditioner’s condenser coil where the heat disperses across its aluminum fins. As the heat disperses from the refrigerant in its gaseous state, its temperature drops, and it returns to its previous liquid state. The...

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What Is a SEER Rating?

September 21, 2018

SEER Ratings Air conditioning systems have evolved. Today’s homeowner has the benefit of choice among many wonderfully efficient AC systems. The yellow EnergyGuide sticker on each unit now shows the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (“SEER”) rating, which lets you know the cooling output to expect per watt. After 2005 the law began requiring SEER ratings of 13 and higher on home air conditioners. Today, you can replace an old unit with a system rated anywhere up to 23. Your Reward for Making an AC Upgrade: Cash Back Replace your old AC unit, and let the savings in energy and money begin. Imagine you go ahead and upgrade a decades-old AC unit that only has a SEER rating of 9. You decide to replace that old unit with a new system that carries the EnergyStar® label. To earn that label your new air conditioner must have at least a 14 SEER efficiency rating. So, you decide to replace that 9 SEER unit with one that’s five levels higher in efficiency. After you’ve made the move from a 9 to a 14 SEER (or go from a 10 to a 15), expect to save 35% on your electric bill. Upgrade from an...

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5 Common AC Issues

July 25, 2018

5 Common AC Issues Let’s face it, air conditioning has become essential to our lives. Let us inspect your AC unit and make sure it’s going to be reliable through the summer season. We can make repairs with genuine parts and dependable expertise that will have your AC ready for the season or back up and running when things go bad. Here are five of the most common issues we see with AC units: Bad Installation: sometimes saving money is a great idea and works out for the very best. Sometimes, relying on a handyman with uncertain skills ends up costing a homeowner more in the long run. Low Refrigerant: air conditioner units rely on refrigerants like Freon to actually produce the coolness that translates into comfort. Eventually, it gets used up. What we often encounter in an uncooperative AC unit is a simple slow leak. It’s a common problem and easily fixed. Broken Fan: the cold has to be directed somewhere, and that great big fan outside is important. It can get gummed up or simply break down. Frozen Coil: condensation builds up and freezes as moisture passes over the coil. That, in turn, can be caused by other...

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Is Your AC Losing its Cool?

November 6, 2017

We know air conditioning is one of the most important concepts to your comfort and peace of mind. If your AC is not cooling properly, the reason could be as simple as dirty coils. Clean coils are extremely important for the proper functioning of an air conditioning system. Even if 1/100th of an inch of dust collects on the AC’s condenser coil, it loses 5% of its efficiency. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain how dirty coils could be causing your AC to under-perform. The Importance of Air Conditioning Coils There are two AC coils which are very important for the proper operation of the system. The evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing the heat and humidity from the space. The condenser coil releases the heat absorbed from the inner space, outside the building. The condenser coil is located in the outside unit and is exposed to the adverse weather, soot, dirt and other trash outside. Dust can easily accumulate on it. This can reduce its capacity to work properly. The Way in Which an Air Conditioner Works In order to understand how dirty coils reduce the cooling ability of the AC, it is advisable to know how an air...

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7 Benefits of a Ductless AC System – St. Louis Mini Split AC

October 29, 2017

If you are considering a ductless system for your office or commercial space, talk to our St. Louis HVAC experts now. Sometimes, the ductwork in a building ruins the aesthetic appeal. A ductless option is available for people who want to have an aesthetic HVAC system and an elegant and smart looking space. In this article, we will discuss the top benefits of installing a ductless air conditioning system in your commercial building. Free From Dust A ductless AC is beneficial for all commercial activities which can be hindered due to dust. For instance, a layer of dust can deter the customers and bring down the sales of a furniture store, a home decor business, or an art gallery. In this system, there are no ducts where the dust can accumulate and spread all over the place. Multiple Cooling Zones A ductless AC is an ideal choice for spaces that have many rooms that require different levels of heating and cooling. For instance, in a restaurant, the heating and cooling requirements are different for the kitchen where the chefs work with hot stoves and grills, where the customers sit and dine and where the food is stored. The zoned system...

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Deciding to Refit or Replace Your R22 Air Conditioner

October 4, 2017

We will answer your questions about the R22 phase-out and will help you decide which is the best decision for you and your family. Air conditioners that take R22 refrigerant, are being phased out and this type of refrigerant will not be available after January 1, 2020. If you are a business owner who relies on this type of system or a homeowner that uses it to keep your home cool, it is time to decide whether to refit or replace your air conditioner. R22 refrigerant is being replaced with the safer EPA-compliant R410A type. You have to either decide now to refit or replace your existing unit or be forced to do so after 2020 when R22 refrigerant is no longer available. R22 refrigerant, or Freon, has been used in air conditioning systems for a long time. However, due to its reclassification as a danger to the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency has placed restrictions on its manufacture as well as a mandate to phase it out completely by 2020. Making a Decision While 2020 may seem like a few years away, the impact of the phase-out is already being felt. The price of refrigerant is soaring. So...

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Things to Do When an Air Conditioner Freezes

September 28, 2017

Having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system will save you money in the long run. Whenever you notice any signs of frost or ice in your air conditioner or find that the unit is not performing properly, take immediate action. It is important to nip it in the bud otherwise it may damage the walls, floors, and ceilings. If the issue is ignored for too long it may lead to compressor failure. You may have to pay for expensive repairs or buy a new one. Here are some helpful tips on dealing with this type of issue. Common Reasons Why Air Conditioners Freeze Diminished Airflow – This can happen due to a clogged filter or a broken fan. If the fan runs sluggishly or does not turn on, the unit may freeze because when the fan does not work properly sufficient air does not flow over the coils and they become excessively cold. Obstructed Drain Line – There may be some obstruction in the drain line. Refrigerant Leak – The chemical which runs in the AC coil and changes the pressure and temperature to remove heat is known as the refrigerant. If there is a leak, the pressure may...

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4 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Ability to Cool Things Down

September 21, 2017

Having regular maintenance on your AC is essential for keeping costs low as well as extending the life of your HVAC system. Summertime can be extremely taxing on your air conditioner and your wallet. The best way to make sure that you are minimizing the damage to both is to make sure that you are doing everything possible to make your air conditioning run as efficiently and as smoothly as possible. There are things that you can do to enhance the way that your air conditioner runs that cost very little, but can have a profitable return. Replace Your Thermostat If you have a traditional thermostat, then you aren’t using your HVAC system as efficiently as you should. New smart thermostats are the best way to manage the temperature and conditions inside your home. They have better sensors than traditional thermostats to communicate with your units; they even consult local weather forecasts. It is estimated that upgrading to a smart thermostat can save you as much as ten percent off of your overall energy bill a year. Make Sure Your filters are Clean When your HVAC filters get dirty or clogged, they decrease the flow of air and increase the...

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Mold Prevention and Treatment – St. Louis Commercial HVAC

August 15, 2017

Mold prevention and treatment are important steps to keeping employees happy and healthy. Mold infestation is extremely problematic for HVAC systems. Mold spores have been known to cause a large amount of property damage. Moreover, in workplace establishments, it can lead to significant health hazard to workers. Mold spreads quickly and can cause those who are allergic to have serious reactions. However, clearing a mold infestation is not an impossible task. Why HVAC Systems are Susceptible to Mold HVAC systems are susceptible to mold growth. Part of the cause is the constant presence of moisture which makes it a very conducive environment for fungus and mold. The fight against mold is more really a fight against chronically humid, moisture-laden, and damp areas in the house. Therefore the HVAC system proves to be one of the most favorable locations for breeding mold infestations. In particular, one can find mold accumulation and growth in the following places: In and around condensation drain pans On cooling coils Inside the interiors of the duct work On humidifying equipment On cooling towers On dehumidifying equipment On return-air plenums Outdoor air intakes On screens, grills and air filters that are clogged with dirt and debris It...

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