Yost & Campbell Heating, Cooling & Generators Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

How to Decide Whether to Repair a Faulty AC or Replace It

Monday, August 28th, 2017

air-conditioning-repair-replacementAir conditioners tend to break down during the late summer more than any other season year, especially older units which may finally fail after months of keeping a home cool and comfortable. We receive a large number of AC repair calls during this time of year, especially in homes with older air conditioners. And breakdowns late in the season force the homeowner to make a significant decision: repair the damage now and keep the old system running, or replace it with a new system entirely?

Only the individual can make that call. Every home is different, and so too are the specific needs of the air conditioner. There are, however, two factors that can make the decision easier: the state of the warranty and the extent of the costs involved.

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Lower AC Bills with These Helpful Tips

Monday, August 14th, 2017

lower-ac-billsAir conditioning bills tend to skyrocket in July and August as homeowners run their systems constantly in an effort to beat the heat. With proper maintenance–ideally before the summer starts–and judicious use, most air conditioners are up to the challenge, and can provide reliable cooling without risk of a breakdown during the summer months. Homeowners looking to upgrade their systems can cut into costs as well, by replacing older thermostats, installing electronic filters and similar steps designed to ease the load on the AC system. But while those require the services of a trained professional, prudent homeowners can also take a number of simple steps themselves to cut down on those high AC bills and reduce the overall strain on the system. A brief list of possible options can be found below.

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Beware of Short Cycling Air Conditioners

Monday, July 31st, 2017

short-cycling-air-conditioningWhen air conditioners run into trouble this time of year, homeowners pay attention. A faulty air conditioner can turn the average home into a hot house very quickly during a heat wave, which can pose a health risk to sensitive family members as well as reducing comfort levels to nil. The sooner one can recognize the signs of a problem, the better. And while only a professional technician should attempt to repair a faulty air conditioner, prudent homeowners can learn to watch for early signifiers indicating something is wrong.

Among the subtler indications of a problem is short cycling, when an air conditioner runs for just a short time and turns off, only to turn on again a few minutes later. It doesn’t sound like much, but in fact, it usually signals a significant problem. If it’s not dealt with effectively, it could spell big trouble for the system itself.

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The Advantages of Zone Control Systems

Monday, July 17th, 2017

home-energy-efficiency

Homeowners in the area have buckled down for the summer, ensuring that their air conditioners perform as expected and taking steps to keep cool in the midst of the scorching July heat. That usually means paying more in monthly energy bills for keeping the system running, which is to be expected. Obviously, air conditioners need to run more often when the weather is hot. But that doesn’t mean that residents should pay more than is necessary to keep their homes cool, and indeed there are a number of ways to keep those energy bills down. Some of them involve simple and basic steps such as dressing in lightweight clothes around the home or setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than one might normally do.

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Modern Thermostats Provide Real Benefits

Monday, July 3rd, 2017

modern-thermostatThermostats have been a part of most homes for generations, and most of us have become accustomed to seeing them on the wall, quietly doing their job. They have few moving parts and can do their jobs for decades without needing replacement, making them a good investment for your money.

There’s one significant reason to exchange your older thermostat for a more modern one. Technological advances in the past few years have improved the available features modern thermostats immeasurably. If your thermostat is more than a decade old and running fine, congratulations! Having said that, it might pay to look into a more up-to-date model and the benefits it can provide. What kind of benefits? Read on for the answers.

(Note that if you have an older thermostat that still uses mercury, you should get it changed immediately regardless of your current needs. Mercury is toxic and has no place in any home. A trained professional can safely dispose of such a thermostat and replace it with a safer digital model.)

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New Air Conditioners Must Be Sized Properly

Monday, June 19th, 2017

air-conditioning-sizingHomeowners with older air conditioners on their last legs would be well-advised to install a new one before the summer heat arrives. With the official start of summer just a few days away, many homeowners are choosing to replace their outdated systems now, in order to better enjoy the benefits when the high temperatures really hit.

Once the decision is made to replace an older air conditioner, the question becomes what type of new system should be installed. That entails a number of questions to be answered, but the first one on any homeowner’s list should be the power output level of the new system.

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3 Signs That an Old Air Conditioner Needs Replacing

Monday, May 22nd, 2017

air-conditioning-repairSpring has arrived, and summer will be along before too much longer. Households with older air conditioners would be well-advised to give theirs a close look and determine if it can reliably last through another summer. If it can, great. If not, then now is the right time to install a replacement air conditioner. Doing so lets you take advantage of improved efficiency and other benefits provided by a new system. But what signs indicate that a replacement may be necessary?

Three general symptoms merit mentioning. In and of themselves, they might not constitute a need for a replacement, but if two or more of them combine in a single unit, prudent homeowners will consider it grounds for installing a new system. These signs are as follows:

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The Benefits of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Monday, May 8th, 2017

air-conditioning-maintenanceSummer will be here before too long, and most homeowners in the area have already started to run their air conditioners on a regular basis. That use is only going to increase as temperatures rise, with an attendant rise in the stress and strain on the system itself.

One of the best ways to curtail that strain—and the costs involved—is to schedule air conditioning maintenance once each spring, before the weather gets too hot. It pays dividends over the long hot summer, and when applied over time, the number of benefits only increase. Here is a quick breakdown on how it all works.

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The Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning

Monday, April 24th, 2017

ductless-air-conditioningSpring typically sees a large uptick in the number of air conditioning replacement calls, as old systems wear out and new ones need to be put in before high temperatures kick in. Most homes in the area use central air conditioners, which generate cool air in a single location and blow it through the home with a system of ducts. But not every home can support such a system, especially those built before the advent of air conditioning. Other homes can support central air, but don’t benefit

But not every home can support such a system, especially those built before the advent of air conditioning. Other homes can support central air, but don’t benefit from it as much as they should, owing to architectural particulars or the specific inhabitants. 

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The 3 Most Important Traits in a New Air Conditioner

Monday, March 27th, 2017

The decision to install a new air conditioning system entails a great deal of preparation and forethought. Now is the best time of the year to make proper plans. The weather is not yet warm enough to demand regular use of an air conditioner, giving homeowners time to discuss their options with a trained HVAC technician and plan for the installation with maximum flexibility in mind. That way, the new system can be up and running before the first heat wave hits, ensuring that the homeowner gets the maximum benefit from the replacement all summer long.

When considering which new system to install, three basic traits need to be settled upon. They will allow the new system to function effectively and provide the maximum benefit for the home in question.

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