June 7, 2023

3 Reasons To Replace Your 20-Year-Old Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is designed to make your home comfortable when the outside heat is unbearable. However, like any other appliance, AC units age and lose their efficiency with time. Determining the best time to replace your old AC can be complicated. If your AC is about 20 years old, you might wonder whether it makes any difference to replace it. Here are some advantages of replacing a 20-year-old AC that you may find worthwhile. 1.Increased Energy Efficiency One major reason to replace an old AC is to improve energy efficiency and lower overall utility bills. An old unit becomes inefficient because of wear and tear from being used regularly. Newer AC systems are engineered to be energy-efficient, which can significantly save your energy bills. They may save you over 20% on your cooling costs. 2. Avoid Regular Repairs Throughout the lifespan of your system, you may need to schedule repair services for minor issues as they are cheaper than buying a new system. However, if your system is 20 years old, you may start scheduling repairs often. If the repair requires the replacement of a large and costly part, you should start considering replacing it. Constant repair costs may...

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September 15, 2022

Why Is My Commercial AC So Loud?

Loud units can be distracting and annoying. That is why it’s essential to know why your unit might be making more noise than it should. By understanding the causes of loud commercial ACs, you can take steps to correct the problem and enjoy a quieter office environment. In this blog post, we’ll explore why your AC might be so loud. Loose or Broken Components A commercial AC unit is designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Eventually, parts such as screws or fan blades can loosen, become unbalanced or break due to corrosion or general wear and tear. This can cause the unit to vibrate and produce unwanted noise. Unlubricated Motor Fans If your commercial AC sounds louder than usual, there’s a good chance that it’s because the fan motors are running dry. Fan motors rely on a thin layer of oil in the bearings to keep them running smoothly, but over time this lubricant can begin to evaporate. The motor begins to make noise as the moving parts start to grind against each other. Clogging in the AC Unit Leaves, branches, dirt and other outdoor debris can build up on the AC unit’s coils, fan blades and...

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July 20, 2022

Why Is My AC Making My Home Humid?

Your air conditioner should never increase the humidity in your home. Stuffy, muggy air is a sign that something’s gone wrong with your AC or ductwork. The best way to protect your indoor air quality is to correct your humidity level before it causes mold or mildew. Here are a few possible reasons why your air conditioner may be impacting your humidity level. Leaky Ductwork Your ductwork is responsible for efficiently carrying cold air to every part of your home. If your ductwork is old or outdated, you will likely struggle with cracks and holes. This will increase your chances of moisture finding its way into your ductwork. You can minimize this problem by scheduling regular ductwork maintenance and repairs. Frozen Evaporator Coils Unobstructed airflow is essential to your AC unit’s efficiency. If your AC unit gets too cold, the internal evaporator coils may freeze. This will lower your unit’s efficiency and lead to water leaks and damage. Regularly cleaning your unit and checking for dirt and debris buildup will protect your evaporator coils. Clogged Filter Leaving a dirty filter in place for too long can cause a host of issues. A clogged filter may obstruct the system’s airflow and...

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July 28, 2021

Getting the Best From Your Air Conditioner

The experts at know that your air conditioning system is a serious investment in your home comfort. We want our Granite City customers to get the best return possible. Professional maintenance and a few simple steps from you will improve both the performance and efficiency of your system. Annual Professional Care An annual tune-up is one of the best things you can do for your cooling system. Before the summer hits, our experts will examine your system and look for any potential problems. They will also carry out several maintenance tasks like cleaning the condenser, checking electrical connections and lubricating moving parts. When they are done, you can relax knowing that your system is ready for the warm weather ahead. Members of our Comfort Club Maintenance Plan receive some additional benefits. We will handle the scheduling to make certain your maintenance appointment happens at an appropriate time. If we find any problems that require a repair, you will receive a 10% discount on the costs. Maintaining Proper Airflow There are several steps you can take to maintain the performance of your system. Airflow is the secret to a healthy air conditioner. You want to allow an uninterrupted flow whenever the...

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August 11, 2020

AC Won’t Cool? Here’s Why

You rely on your AC to supply a steady stream of cold air to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. During warmer spring and summer months, you’ll most likely be running your air conditioner a lot. When your unit fails to cool your home, you can be left feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Read on to learn about common reasons why your AC may not be effectively cooling your home. Clogged Air Filters Your air filters trap substances like dirt, dust and pollen and prevent them from recirculating through your air ducts. If you’ve neglected to change your air filters regularly, less air will be able to pass through your system. When this happens, your unit has to work extra hard to cool your home. Clogged air filters can also cause the evaporator coils to freeze, which could block any cool air from going into your home. Check for dirty air filters often, and replace them at least once every three months to reduce wear and tear on your AC unit. Low Refrigerant Levels The refrigerant in your air conditioning system absorbs excess heat from your home and cools it off. If you notice ice buildup on the refrigerant lines...

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June 16, 2020

Does The Outside Temperature Affect My AC?

When the temperatures rise, it can be so nice to cool off indoors. Having an air conditioner can make such a difference in terms of not only comfort but your overall health and well-being. Since the AC is such a useful appliance in the summer, you may be wondering how your air conditioner is affected when the temperatures really soar. Below, we’ll explain how your air conditioner works and why it has to work harder when it’s hot outside. The Inner Workings of Your AC Your air conditioner cycles air from the inside to the outside of your home. In your outside AC unit, you have a compressor. As its name suggests, it compresses a refrigerant, thereby increasing its temperature. A fan then blows outside air across the coils that hold the refrigerant. This transfers heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. Next, the refrigerant travels to the inside of your house. At this point, another fan blows inside air across another set of coils, transferring the heat inside your home into the refrigerant. The refrigerant then goes outside to the compressor once again, where heat is released. How Heat Affects the Process Why does the exterior temperature matter?...

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April 16, 2020

Problems Caused by an Oversized Air Conditioner

People often say that bigger is better. However, when it comes to air conditioners, bigger can be a problem. If you’ve got an oversized AC in your home or are thinking of buying one, then you’re bound to face a variety of problems, a few of which are listed below. High Energy Bills Your energy bills will be noticeably higher with an oversized AC, principally because an oversized AC cools very rapidly then shuts off. After it shuts off, your house will heat up once again, and the cycle will continue. This stop-start pattern is very inefficient and is like driving in heavy traffic, which burns more energy than driving long distances without frequent stops. High Humidity Your AC needs to be running in order to remove humidity from the air. If it’s constantly shutting down due to cooling too rapidly, then the unit won’t ever have enough time to deal with the humidity, which requires cycles of at least 20-30 minutes. Over time, this failure to remove the humidity from your home can result in the appearance of mold. Shortened Lifespan The frequent stop-starts are hard on your air conditioner, especially the compressor. Like most motors and engines, your...

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