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

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

Monday, June 21st, 2021

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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
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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
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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
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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

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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

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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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