Hometown Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘AC Repair’

Call Us If You Hear This From Your AC…

Monday, July 18th, 2022
two-smiling-ac-technicians-standing-over-ac-outdoor-unit-looking-at-mobile-tablet

With heat waves here and more expected this summer, now is the time to make sure that your air conditioner is in great shape and able to handle any hot temperatures that come its way.

Hopefully, you’ve already had springtime maintenance done for your air conditioner. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. All of this helps your air conditioner operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Maintenance tune-ups prevent up to 85% of repair needs, helps your system retain up to 95% of its original efficiency rating throughout its lifetime, and helps ensure that your air conditioner can actually last its intended lifespan (10-15 years).

The good news is, it’s not too late to schedule this service! This is definitely a case of “better late than never.” In the meantime, it’s always a good idea to be aware of what noises are abnormal when your AC is running. If you hear any of these, whether you skipped maintenance or are diligent about having it done annually, it’s time to give us a call for repairs!

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Compressor Damage: AC Replacement Versus Repair

Monday, June 20th, 2022
compressor-inside-outside-ac-unit

Did you know that the compressor is the most essential component of your air conditioner? Well, that and refrigerant. Without either, your air conditioner would be nothing more than a very large and expensive fan.

So, if something goes wrong with the compressor, you might wonder if it’s worth repairing your air conditioner, or if the whole unit is doomed. This is a good question too! We don’t have an easy answer, but we’ll explain below to give you a bit more clarity.

Whatever you decide, you can count on our team to help you along. We’re also here to help you make an educated decision about how to best use your budget for your cooling needs. Read on to learn a bit more about this compressor repair/replace debate.

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The Best Way to Prevent AC Repairs

Monday, April 25th, 2022
two-technicians-working-on-ac-unit

Nobody wants to face an unexpected or expensive AC repair when they need their system the most. And typically, you’ll never have to. That is, as long as you have your air conditioner professionally installed by a qualified team, and regularly maintained to keep in good shape.

Yes, maintenance tune-ups are the best way to prevent AC repairs. In fact, keeping up on your annual tune-ups can help you avoid up to 85% of the repairs your system may otherwise need! And that’s not the only benefit of maintenance–read on to learn more.

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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!

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Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with AC Efficiency

Monday, May 24th, 2021
vent

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.

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3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

Monday, May 10th, 2021
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

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.

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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!

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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.

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