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

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
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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
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Why AC Refrigerant Loss Is a Big Deal

Monday, September 14th, 2020

insulated-refrigerant-line-behind-air-conditioner

There a number of problems that can and will afflict your air conditioner over the years, most of them a result of natural wear and tear. This means some problems will be more minor than others. For instance, you might have a worn-down motor bearing that needs to be replaced, or a loose fan tightened.

There are other problems, however, that really shouldn’t be brushed off and need to be addressed right away. A refrigerant leak is one of them.

There’s a fairly common misconception circulating that refrigerant to an air conditioner is like gasoline to a car–it depletes over time. On the contrary, refrigerant is in a closed-loop system and is recycled throughout the lifespan of your air conditioner, theoretically. If your air conditioner is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak, and yes it is a big deal. Read on to learn why!

Tags: AC Repair, Concord
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Is a Ductless Air Conditioner Right for You?

Monday, August 31st, 2020

In the market for a new air conditioning system? Then you’re in luck. When it comes to a new air conditioning installation in Concord, CA, there is no shortage of options to choose from! Of course, that can also make it pretty tough to find the exact right AC for your needs.

Air conditioners all serve the same basic function, right? They’re there to cool your home. They can go about that in some surprisingly different ways, though. One option you should definitely consider is the ductless mini split.

Tags: AC, air conditioner, Concord, ductless AC, ductless mini splits
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4 Qualities to Look for in an HVAC Contractor

Monday, August 17th, 2020

hvac-professional-shaking-hand-of-homeowner-at-front-door

These days, you can find a lot of people who would be willing to do HVAC work in your home. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that the professional you find will actually have the expertise and experience necessary to do a good job. We really don’t recommend putting the wellbeing of your HVAC system and the comfort of your home in the hands of amateurs.

Of course, it’s fine to say this, but what should you do then? When you need HVAC work, it’s understandable that you want to find someone affordable and reliable. But what other qualities should you look for?

We’ve provided a bit of a guide below to answer just that–what 4 qualities you should look for in a professional HVAC contractor. Read on, and please reach out to our team if you have any questions–we want your HVAC system and your home to be in good hands!

Tags: Air Conditioning Service, Concord
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Compressor Trouble? Here’s How to Proceed

Monday, August 3rd, 2020

This doesn’t have a quick or easy answer, to be honest. But we’ll do our best to cover all the bases on what happens when you have a failed compressor.

It’s a particularly unpleasant problem to face, a failed compressor, as this component is essentially the heart of your air conditioner. Your air conditioner literally cannot do the very job it was designed to do without this component–which is to transfer and compress refrigerant in order to return cooled air into your home.

With most components, replacement is the best option. But the thing is, because of the compressor’s importance, it’s the most expensive component in your AC. In many cases, if it fails, it makes more economic sense to replace the whole entire air conditioner. But that’s not always the case. We get it, that’s frustrating. Read on to gain a little clarity on the matter!

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Concord
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Buzz, Bang, or Boom: AC Sounds You Don’t Want to Hear

Monday, July 20th, 2020

surprised-woman-covering-ears-and-standing-against-a-white-background

Let’s face it–no air conditioner is ever going to operate in complete silence. There have been a lot of technological advancements that help certain cooling systems function much more quietly, such as inverter drive and variable speed AC systems. But for the most part, you’re always going to hear your outdoor compressor cycling on and off, and you’ll hear the whoosh of air through your vents, plus perhaps even the flexing of your ductwork as temperatures fluctuate.

What you shouldn’t hear, however, is banging, buzzing, booming, or any other noise you’re unfamiliar with. Strange noises aren’t something to be ignored. Neglecting them can only cause problems to grow, until you’re left scrambling to buy a new air conditioner in the middle of summer because yours has completely broken down.

Read on as we uncover what these, and more, sounds mean and why they’re so ominous.

Tags: AC Repair, Concord, Professional Air Conditioning Services
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Why You Don’t Want to Ignore the Size of Your New AC

Monday, July 6th, 2020

Several weeks ago, we published a blog post letting you know why it’s so important to hire a professional for your air conditioning installation. We mentioned briefly how a professional will know how to properly size an air conditioner, but do you know why this is so important?

When you’re purchasing a new air conditioner at this time of the year, it’s likely you’ll be tempted to rush, and buy the biggest system that will fit your budget, but this can actually be a big mistake. You don’t want to just assume that bigger is better—because it’s not. In fact, too large or overpowered of a system can be just as detrimental to HVAC efficiency as a system that’s too small or underpowered.

Tags: AC Installation, Air Conditioning, Concord
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What’s Wrong with a Short-Cycling Air Conditioner?

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

One of the most common, and most frustrating, problems for an AC system is short-cycling. This problem is both a symptom of a repair need and the cause of further issues. Although sometimes there is a simple fix such as changing your air filter, in many cases short-cycling requires a much bigger repair, and the best thing you can do is contact an HVAC professional.

After all, unless short-cycling is resolved, it will eventually lead to an early demise for your air conditioner, and will waste a lot of energy until then.

Tags: Air Conditioning Services, Concord
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How to Determine When You’re Ready for AC Replacement

Monday, June 8th, 2020

Summer is right around the corner, and soon enough you’ll need your air conditioner on a daily basis. Is it up to the task, though? Now is the perfect time to check if your AC is actually ready to get you through summer. If it’s not, it’s a good idea to replace it now, rather than wait for it to break down when you need it the most.

You don’t want to be without an air conditioner when temperatures get to their highest, after all. But, what signs should you look for that indicates it is in fact time for you to consider this replacement? Read on to learn a few!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Concord
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