Hometown Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Why Is Ice Forming on My AC’s Evaporator Coil?

Monday, May 8th, 2023
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A common question that we get from homeowners during the summer is: Why is ice forming on my AC’s evaporator coil? Although you might think that the appearance of ice on an air conditioner is normal–after all, it’s a system designed to make things cold–it’s an indication that something is wrong with your AC. 

Ice should never appear on any part of your AC system. Not only does the ice itself create a problem, but the reason why the ice is forming may be an even worse issue. Let’s go over why your AC ices over in the first place and what it can possibly mean. That way, if you see this happening with your air conditioning in Walnut Creek, you’ll know what to expect. 

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What’s Causing That Annoying Noise From My AC?

Monday, April 24th, 2023
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-trying-to-listen

We’re well into spring and by now, you’ve probably had a chance to determine how well your air conditioner is doing so far this season. How would you rate its performance? Is it quietly and efficiently cooling your home down to your desired temperature? Or does it seem like it’s taking longer than usual?

A surefire way to tell if your AC is struggling is to give it a listen. Just like any complex piece of machinery, your AC will make noises when it’s having a hard time doing its job. Booming, hissing, screeching, and bubbling are all annoying noises you don’t want to hear from your AC. Let’s go over each one and what the possible cause is.

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Why Are NATE and EPA Certifications Important?

Monday, March 13th, 2023
logo-for-nate

When your home needs air conditioning service, you can’t rely on just anyone. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when choosing an HVAC company to handle your precious home comfort systems. Many homeowners know that they should choose an HVAC contractor whose technicians are licensed and insured. But what other qualifications should you look for?

In your search for qualified air conditioning technicians, you may come across the terms “NATE certified” and “EPA certified.” Having these qualifications is very desirable and we’re not just saying that because we have a full staff of NATE and EPA-certified technicians. Let’s look at what these designations mean and why they’re surefire signs you’ve found a knowledgeable and reliable company.

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Go With a Pro: The Benefits of Professional Air Conditioner Installation

Monday, February 27th, 2023

Purchasing a new air conditioning system for your home is a major investment. As homeowners, it’s only natural to want to save money. When estimating how much it’ll cost for an air conditioning installation, you might be tempted to hire an amateur to do the job. You might even be thinking that this is a possible do-it-yourself project. However, we’re here to tell you why these are bad ideas.

Air conditioners require licensed professionals with training and experience to install them properly. A well-intentioned desire to reduce expenses will definitely end up costing you more in the long run. There’s a reason why air conditioning systems require licensed and trained professionals to install them. 

You spend so much on a new air conditioner. You shouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize that initial investment. By not having it installed by a professional HVAC company, you run the risk of voiding the warranty. Here are 3 benefits of professional air conditioning installation.

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A Guide to AC Repair or Replacement

Monday, February 13th, 2023

When contemplating calling for air conditioner repairs, there are a lot of reasons why homeowners may hesitate. For one, they’re not sure the issue warrants scheduling an appointment for repairs. Or they might be worried that their air conditioner can’t be repaired and suspect it’s due for replacement.

For non-emergency repairs, it’s a lot easier to ignore small signs that your air conditioner needs help. In this blog post, let’s go over the factors that professional HVAC technicians take into consideration when determining if air conditioning repair or replacement is needed. 

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What Is SEER2 and Why It Impacts Your Next AC Installation

Monday, December 5th, 2022

The thought of replacing an air conditioner is already a daunting one. There are many factors to consider in order to find a system that will meet your family’s needs, all while staying within your budget.

To complicate matters even further, there are new Department of Energy (DOE) regulations to consider. New energy-efficiency standards that will take effect in 2023 have impacted air conditioner manufacturers and, as a result, consumers.

If you’re considering replacing your air conditioner, learn what these new SEER2 regulations entail, and how they impact your options when it comes to your next air conditioning installation in Concord, CA.

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As the Season Ends, What Grade Should You Give Your AC?

Monday, November 21st, 2022

November is here and with its arrival comes the cooler weather. As you get used to the change in seasons, it’s a good time to evaluate the performance of your HVAC in Walnut Creek, CA during the previous summer. 

You might be wondering why you should be giving any thought to your air conditioner. After all, it’s November. But with the warmer winters we’ve been having, you may find there are days when you’ll need to switch on the AC. 

Assessing how well your air conditioner performed over the summer is a great way to determine if you should schedule repairs or maintenance now. You can assess it by grading its performance and then decide how to proceed to ensure reliable cooling from your AC if you need it this winter.

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Don’t Ignore These End-Of-Season AC Problems

Monday, November 7th, 2022
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Despite the warm fall weather, you’ve possibly made the transition from using your air conditioner to using your heater. But that doesn’t mean some unseasonably hot days aren’t on the horizon. 

Scheduling maintenance for your air conditioner isn’t something many people think about this time of year. But your air conditioner has been working hard all summer to keep your home cool and comfortable through high temperatures. That wear and tear can begin to show in the fall.

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Why You Should Consider Professional Duct Sealing

Monday, October 24th, 2022

As homeowners, it seems like home maintenance tasks are never-ending. Ensuring that your home systems are all running smoothly and efficiently is something that not everyone has the time or energy for. And yet, prioritizing routine maintenance can save you time, energy, and money in the long run. 

Your HVAC system’s ductwork is one of those home maintenance items that you might want to pay special attention to sooner rather than later. Your ductwork plays a vital role in the functionality of your HVAC system. Leaky ducts not only waste energy, but they also take a toll on the longevity of your entire HVAC system. 

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Why You Should Replace Your Old AC Now

Monday, October 10th, 2022
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Do you have an aging air conditioner in place currently? When we say aging, we mean a system that is a decade old, or older. The average useful service life of a well-maintained air conditioner is about 10-15 years, and once it reaches past this point it will start to work less efficiently, have more frequent repair needs and breakdowns, and ultimately cost you more to run than it’s worth.

Still though, if your air conditioner is working “okay,” you might be tempted to put off thinking about an air conditioning installation in Orinda, CA for at least another year or two. Unfortunately, this may end up being a mistake for you financially. Why? Because of an updated mandate by the U.S. Department of Energy known as the SEER2 update. Read on to learn more about this, and what it means for AC costs and your wallet.

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