Your home’s air conditioning system is designed to run during warm days, hot days, hotter days, the hottest days. There’s not much point to an AC otherwise! You don’t run it during cool weather, after all. But even though your AC was built with the heat in mind, it can still overheat during the summer. Just as when a car engine overheats, this will leave you with a busted system that won’t work.
First Choice Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Watch Out for an Overheating Air Conditioner This Summer!
Monday, June 25th, 2018Tips to Lower Your Cooling Costs
Monday, June 11th, 2018
There’s no way to avoid a rise in electrical costs during the summer if you have a central air conditioning system. The air conditioner consumes electrical power to run the fans and the compressor, and this comes at a cost. But the cost doesn’t have to be as high as it currently is! There are ways to reduce the price of a comfortably cool home over this summer, and the many summers to come.
Here are our top tips for conquering the high cost of cooling:
Ductless Cooling and Heating May Be a Great Home HVAC Choice
Monday, May 14th, 2018
The ductless cooling and heating system isn’t necessarily “new.” This type of heat pump has been popular for years in Europe and Japan, where homes and buildings usually lack the space to put in ducts. It’s simple to outfit a few rooms with a ductless system, allowing for a distribution of heating and air conditioning that would otherwise be impossible.
Today in the U.S., ductless systems are making a bigger impact on home comfort. People are finding out more about the terrific benefits of going ductless. But you want to know if ductless makes sense for you? It might! Let’s take a look at when ductless HVAC makes sense for a new HVAC system installation.
Air Conditioning Maintenance: The Best Way to Prevent Repairs
Monday, April 30th, 2018
At last we’re starting to enjoy warmer weather that says spring is really here, and summer is approaching right behind it. The lingering cold weather may have put your air conditioning system out of your mind, and we can’t blame you for not giving due consideration to cooling your house.
But now it’s time to focus on the coming warm weather and ensuring your AC can do the best job through the middle of the year, and without you needing to call for repairs.
But there’s no way to prevent repairs 100%, right?
That’s right, there can never be any guarantee for any mechanical device to work without any faults. But you can prevent the majority of problems with planning and proper care, including routine maintenance, and that proactive approach supports better efficiency. When it comes to your air conditioning system, planning and care means arranging for maintenance (a tune-up and inspection) from qualified professionals who provide hvac services and air conditioning services.
How to Shut Down an Air Conditioner for the Season
Monday, October 2nd, 2017
You may still need to have your air conditioning system running for a stretch longer, since the fall can sometimes pull out surprise heat waves. But eventually, you’ll look at the upcoming weather forecast, see the low temperatures, and know that the cold weather is here to stay… at least until spring.
It’s important to have your heating system tuned-up and inspected before the cold weather, and you can arrange for this with our experts in HVAC in Brighton, MI. We offer maintenance for a range of heating systems, including furnaces and boilers.
But there’s something else you need to do once the air conditioner turns off for the season. No, the AC doesn’t need maintenance, not yet. (That will come in the spring.) But if you simply turn off the AC and leave it, it can suffer damage over the winter that may jeopardize its operation when you need it again. Here are steps to take to “winterize” your air conditioner. And remember, if you know your AC has a repair need, don’t let the repair go just because it’s the end of the cooling season.
Common Air Conditioner Repairs at Summer’s End
Monday, September 4th, 2017
The last days of summer are a great time to pack in a few more fun activities you didn’t get to during the rest of the season. And one of those fun activities is arranging for repairs on your air conditioning system!
Uhm, wait, I’ve been handed a correction… Okay, this actually isn’t a fun activity, but it’s one that’s often necessary. If you have put off any repairs for your AC earlier in the summer, don’t wait to schedule them. Just because there are cooler days ahead doesn’t mean you might be able to scrape past with an AC that isn’t at 100%. It can mean bigger repairs down the road, elevated utility bills, a sudden system breakdown on a hot day, and even an air conditioner that has to be replaced years too early.
Time to Replace Your HVAC System? Here’s What to Look For
Monday, August 21st, 2017
The best time of the year to make a major change to the HVAC systems responsible for your year-round comfort in your house is during the spring and the fall—i.e. the times of the year when you need to rely on the AC or heater the least.
It’s already the second half of August, and even though the weather is still hot, the fall cooling is not far off. If this is the year to have your HVAC system updated with a new system installation in Fenton, MI, right now is a good time to start thinking about it. The earlier you plan for the job, the easier it will be to schedule it—and you’ll have your new system ready to go in time for any changes in the weather.
Why Is There Ice on the AC Coil? Is Something Wrong?
Monday, August 7th, 2017
We’ll cut to the quick: Yes, something is wrong with your central air conditioning system if you notice ice forming on its coil. If this was your first instinct, then you’re thinking along the right lines. People often dismiss the appearance of ice on an air conditioner as a sign that the system is perhaps working a bit too well. The air coming out of the AC is cool, so why wouldn’t ice be part of the process?
But as you may already know, an air conditioner doesn’t use ice to cool down the air it sends into a home. What it actually does is remove heat from inside the house and release it outside, a process called heat exchange. If the air conditioner is working correctly, no ice should develop during this absorption and release of heat.
Repair Your Old AC? Or Replace It?
Monday, July 10th, 2017
The biggest debate in the HVAC world is whether a piece of equipment should be repaired or replaced when it breaks down. Sometimes repairs are the easier and less expensive method; but there are times when repairs are throwing good money after bad, and the better long-term solution is to have a new installation done.
Since we’re now in the middle of the summer in Michigan, you’re probably going to ask “Repair or Replace?” when it comes to your air conditioning system. When your AC breaks down on you, the first step to take is to call for air conditioning service in Fenton, MI from our professionals. You might already have an idea about whether or not you should have a replacement or continue with repairs. We’ll help you make the best choice with our honest assessment and advice. No matter what the best option is, we’ll see that you get the best possible service.
It’s Not Too Late for Air Conditioning Maintenance
Monday, June 12th, 2017
Summer is almost here! Although this is one of the most popular seasons of the year, the perfect time to go on vacation, have cook-outs, or watch big-budget movies, it’s also a time when you must make sure you have a home air conditioning system ready to handle temperatures that can rise into the 90s.
Making sure to call professionals to handle any air conditioning repairs the moment you sense something is wrong is only part of caring for an AC during the summer. Perhaps the most important part is arranging for regular maintenance for the air conditioner: a full inspection and tune-up from a trained HVAC technician. It’s usually best to have this service done in spring—and there’s still time to schedule it. Call our team to arrange for your air conditioning maintenance in Fenton, MI before any more hot weather comes your way.