Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Replacement’

Ways the AC Compressor Might Fail

Monday, June 3rd, 2019

compressor-in-ac-unitThere’s no such thing as a “non-vital” part of your central air conditioning system. All parts need to work well for the system to operate effectively and efficiently. But if any part were to be awarded the title “The Most Important AC Component,” it would be the compressor. It’s the literal heart of the air conditioner because it is what causes the refrigerant to circulate through the system. The compressor changes the refrigerant to a high-pressure hot gas that allows for the heat exchange process to start. Without a working compressor, an air conditioning system will function as nothing more than a large fan blowing around room temperature air.

The compressor usually lasts for the full life of the AC. In fact, it’s often a dead compressor that signals the end of the air conditioner’s lifecycle (around 10 to 15 years). However, a compressor might fail early—and usually it’s not worth the cost to fix it.

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The R-22 Phaseout Is Almost Done—Time to Replace That Old AC

Monday, May 20th, 2019

wall-clock

The clock is running out for old air conditioning systems that use R-22 refrigerant. If you aren’t certain what the R-22 phaseout is or how it affects your air conditioning system, here’s a quick rundown:

R-22, sometimes called Freon (a brand name), is an outdated refrigerant blend that was used for decades in air conditioning systems. Because R-22 creates ozone-depleting substances, the US Environmental Protection Agency started a process of gradually phasing-out use of this refrigerant blend to replace it with R-410A (a.k.a. Puron), which is not only healthier for the environment, but is a more efficient refrigerant blend for heat transfer.

The phase-out is now reaching its conclusion. As of 2020, professional HVAC technicians will no longer be permitted to use R-22 for any repairs to air conditioning systems, even using reclaimed refrigerant. So this means…

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Should You Talk to Your Maintenance Tech About Getting a New AC?

Monday, March 25th, 2019

air-conditioning-recyclingIn our last post, we put up a friendly spring reminder: have your air conditioning system professionally maintained! There’s nothing better for a hard-working central AC than to have an annual inspection and tune-up. It means better performance, fewer repairs, energy-efficient operation, and a long system life.

But let’s talk about that last advantage a bit more: how long can an air conditioner keep working? Maintenance extends its service life, but no level of diligence can make an AC work forever. Your home’s current air conditioner will eventually need to be replaced. Is this something you should discuss with your HVAC technician during maintenance?

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How to Cure the Mid-Season Air Conditioner Replacement Blues

Monday, August 13th, 2018

woman-in-front-of-fanThe second half of the summer is when the heat can get brutal. Unfortunately, this is also the time when you’re likely to have the blues with your air conditioner. Considering all the stress that the early summer months place on an older AC, now is the time when the cooling system might start to fall behind—or even crash completely and leave you without any cooling at all.

So, is it time to replace your home air conditioner? That may be the cure to your air conditioner blues—and we’d like to help make it as easy for you as possible.

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Leaking Refrigerant May Destroy Your AC!

Monday, June 4th, 2018

terrified-woman-thinks-of-destroyed-air-conditionerMany types of malfunctions can cause your home’s air conditioning system to fail or stop working altogether. A fan motor burns out, and that means no air circulating through the house. Bad wiring to the thermostat means you can’t turn the AC on. But there are some malfunctions that can mean the end of your air conditioner—the point where the only repairs that may fix it will cost more than the price of getting a new AC.

One of the big air conditioning-ending disasters you may run over summer is leaking refrigerant.

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Doing the AC Replacement Shuffle: It Can Be Tough!

Monday, March 26th, 2018

big-blue-question-markIn our previous post, we talked about the importance of having routine air conditioning maintenance done in the spring. (Call us now if you haven’t done this yet! Don’t put it off.) Maintenance helps an air conditioner last for as many years as possible, and many ACs can serve a house effectively for 15 years. But an air conditioner is not a “forever” device. At some point in the future, you’ll need to have an air conditioning replacement in Staten Island, NY.

But what if the future is today? Looking ahead to the warm weather—and it will be here before we know it—do you have doubts about your air conditioner? Are you wondering if you should keep repairing it, or if it’s less expensive in the long-run to put in a new one?

If you’ve got these questions bouncing in your head, you’re caught doing the AC Replacement Shuffle. We have some answers for you that will help with making the choice—but eventually you’ll need our direct assistance.

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Short-Cycling Air Conditioner: What It Is, Why It’s Bad

Monday, August 28th, 2017

air-conditioner-units-near-grassAmong the more common malfunctions that can occur with a residential air conditioning system is something called ­short-cycling. The brief definition of short-cycling is that it’s when the compressor of an air conditioner turns on and off rapidly—too rapidly to do much good and too rapidly for the good of the air conditioner.

We’re going to delve deeper into this common repair situation so you’ll have a better idea of when to call us for air conditioning service in Staten Island, NY.

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Why Newer Air Conditioners Are More Energy Efficient

Monday, July 31st, 2017

air-conditioner-on-leavesAt the start of the summer, we took a look at the energy efficiency rating for air conditioners (SEER) to help you understand how modern ACs are rated and compared. We encourage customers who have an air conditioner that’s more than 15 years old to replace it with a new system—even if the current system still seems to be working adequately—because it means superior energy efficiency right from the start. That’s not only because a newer system will be in better shape. It’s also because the current crop of air conditioners are more energy efficient in general.

Why is that the case? What technological developments have allowed the current line of air conditioners (as well as heat pumps) to use less energy to run while providing the same cooling power? There are a couple of reasons:

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Not Too Small, Not Too Large: Why AC’s Must Be Just the Right Size

Monday, July 17th, 2017

Air-conditioner-repairmanWhen it comes to the size of an air conditioner in a house, the “Goldilocks Rule” applies: you don’t want an air conditioner that’s too small or too large, but one that’s just right. Finding the right size of air conditioner is a tricky job, however, and it’s not something you want to make a guess at. You must have skilled professionals handle the job of sizing a new central air conditioning installation so you don’t end up with either an AC that can’t keep your home cool enough or an AC that drains energy because it’s too powerful.

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Fixing That Hot Upstairs in Your Home with AC Solutions

Monday, June 5th, 2017

thermometer-going-redEvery region has particular comfort problems that HVAC specialists have to deal with. Here in Staten Island, a trouble we often find our customers experience is uneven home cooling during the summer. Usually the ground floor is comfortably cool when the air conditioner is running, but the upstairs remains stiflingly hot.

You might think there isn’t anything to be done about this. Heat rises, so the most heat will collect in the second floor. But this isn’t true! Our professionals have ways to help evenly cool homes with excellent air conditioning service in Staten Island, NY. If you have an unpleasantly hot upstairs in your home, contact us and we’ll find a way to provide even cooling comfort through the summers.

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