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

Why Professional Ductless HVAC Installation Matters

Monday, September 27th, 2021

When it comes to buying a new HVAC system for your Orinda home, there are a wide variety of options to choose from, and it can be overwhelming! You first want to make sure that it functions well, and that it works efficiently. Next, you want it to last as long as it possibly can. This is why it’s important to work with a trusted and qualified professional for the installation, no matter what type of air conditioner or heating system you go with. It’ll cut down on ac repairs over time.

And a ductless HVAC system is no exception. These units function by using a single outdoor unit that is connected to up to 4 indoor air handlers. Each of these air handlers works independently of one another, and are usually mounted up high on the walls in the rooms they’ll be used.

What’s important to remember about these types of HVAC systems is that they are unique, and if not installed correctly, they have some unique and pretty frustrating needs. Read on to learn more!

Tags: AC Repair, Heating Repair, Orinda
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Why Professional Ductless HVAC Installation Matters

Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

Monday, August 16th, 2021

The short answer to this question is “no.” Look, unless your air conditioner has completely broken down and is beyond repair, it’s never too late to have your ac professionally maintained. Unfortunately, by the time we get to this time of the year, homeowners think that they may as well skip maintenance this year. This line of thinking can do more harm than good, though!

This is definitely a case of, “it’s better late than never.” In fact, the frequency of your air conditioning maintenance appointments matters a lot more than the timing. Sure, we recommend AC tune-ups in early spring, before you’ll need your system the most. But as long as you’re having it done at least once a year, you’ll keep your air conditioner in good shape. Read on to learn more about this important service.

Tags: AC Maintenance, Concord
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

The Power of Professional Duct Cleaning

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

If you’re like the average homeowner, you probably don’t give too much thought to the ductwork snaking its way through your home. This makes sense, after all, air ducts are mostly hidden from view. You really shouldn’t need to think too much about the condition of your ductwork all that much, but occasionally, your ducts will need some TLC.

While there’s no need for you to learn about all the ins and outs of ductwork, there are a few things that would be good for you to know, such as the impact that dirty ducts can have on your home comfort and on your air conditioning and heating systems.

Professional duct cleaning, performed by our team, is very beneficial. Wondering why? Read on!

Tags: Concord, Duct Cleaning
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on The Power of Professional Duct Cleaning

Noises You Never Want to Hear from Your AC

Monday, July 19th, 2021

Do you remember the Jetsons cartoons? The futuristic family who had everything automated? They probably had an air conditioner that could talk to them and tell them when something was wrong, reporting back on what to do about it and how much longer their air conditioner would last with this problem.

While that’s not our current reality, and the Jetsons probably missed a lot of what would and will be possible this decade, your air conditioner does try to tell you when something is wrong. But it’s up to us to listen. Read on as we uncover some of the sounds your air conditioner might make when something is amiss, and then give us a call to fix it.

Tags: Air Conditioning Services, Concord
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Noises You Never Want to Hear from Your AC

4 Reasons to Change Your Air Conditioner’s Filter

Monday, July 5th, 2021

Have you ever wondered why your ac service professionals tell you to change your air filter? Perhaps you think it’s a problem because a clogged air filter doesn’t protect your indoor air quality. You’re not wrong, however, not quite right either.

This particular air filter–the one that comes standard with your HVAC systems–isn’t in place to protect your indoor air quality anyway. It’s in place to protect the interior components of the HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and damage parts.

This air filter, depending on the type and the level of contaminants in your home, should be changed every 1-3 months. Why? We’ve highlighted 4 reasons below.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Concord
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on 4 Reasons to Change Your Air Conditioner’s Filter

Why You Don’t Want an AC with This One Problem

Monday, June 21st, 2021

white-question-mark-on-blue-circle-background

Short cycling is one of the most common and also one of the most harmful problems that an air conditioning system can have. It’s both the symptom of a problem and the cause of future problems. In some cases, a few simple adjustments might be all that’s needed to repair your ac problem. However, in many cases, it will require professional repairs from a trained and experienced HVAC professional–which is what we’re here for!

Short-cycling is definitely not something you want to ignore and it should be addressed ASAP. Otherwise, you might find yourself needing to replace your air conditioner far sooner than you thought you would have to. Read on to learn more!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Livermore
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Why You Don’t Want an AC with This One Problem

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with AC Efficiency

Monday, May 24th, 2021

When it comes to keeping households cool in our area during the summer, it makes sense to do so as efficiently as possible, right? Do you really want to pay more than necessary to keep your home at a reasonable temperature this coming season?

We didn’t think so!

However, there are a number of mistakes that homeowners make regarding their air conditioner use. These mistakes work against them in many ways, wearing down their system faster, and causing the cooling system to work inefficiently—in other words expensively. Keep reading as we uncover some of the most common mistakes that homeowners make in regards to AC use and efficiency.

Tags: AC Repair, Lafayette
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with AC Efficiency

3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

Monday, May 10th, 2021

Though it would be nice if it did, your air conditioning system won’t last forever.

And think about it, a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it won’t drive like a brand new car.

So if you have an aging air conditioner, chances are that the system is going to need repairs at some point, even if you haven’t already invested in repairs.

The thing is, air conditioner issues that go unmanaged can quickly have a domino effect, with one broken component leading to another, and so on. For example, the smallest refrigerant leak can keep going until your compressor has too little in it to even be able to function, and so it burns out. Unfortunately, the compressor is the most expensive part in your air conditioner, and if it fails it likely means it’s time to replace the whole entire system.

Tags: AC Repair, Concord
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on 3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

Getting Your AC System and Home Ready for Summer

Monday, April 26th, 2021

With temperatures already warming up (with the exception of a few chilly days last week) you may have come to realize that it’s time to start thinking about whether your air conditioner is ready for summer. Or, maybe you think since your cooling system seems to be working okay, you can skip maintenance just this one year. We really want to discourage you from skipping, though!

It’s never too late to get your air conditioner maintained, and it’s never a bad idea to do so. In fact, there are a number of great benefits to having routine, professional maintenance done.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Concord
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Getting Your AC System and Home Ready for Summer

Don’t Neglect These Late-Season AC Repair Needs

Monday, September 28th, 2020

Fall is officially here! It’s time to turn off our air conditioners and not worry about them until next spring, right?!

Well, not quite. Temperatures don’t always agree with whatever season it happens to be at the time. Still though, there’s no arguing that in the next several weeks, we will be able to use our air conditioners a lot less. So, that means you can wait on any repair needs that have cropped up, right?

No! At least, we don’t recommend it. The longer you wait to address an air conditioner in disrepair, the higher chance there is that you’ll experience severe HVAC problems. This is particularly true if your AC system shares ductwork with the furnace or if you’re using a heat pump, since that means your heating efficacy can be impacted too.

Even though it’s late in the cooling system, it’s a good idea to watch for the signs of AC problems we’ve listed below, and give our team a call if you notice any of them.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Concord
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Don’t Neglect These Late-Season AC Repair Needs