Can I Service My AC Myself?

April 2, 2024

When that intense South Texas heat kicks into high gear, the absolute worst is having your air conditioner die or act up. While most people choose to call a professional when there is a major issue, smaller issues can be a gray area. If you are handy, you may consider a DIY fix. Read on to learn when you can safely work on an issue yourself and when you should be sure to involve a trained technician. Regular AC Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself Keeping your air conditioning system in top shape is key to ensuring efficient, reliable cooling all summer long. While most maintenance and repair tasks require a professional technician, there are a few simpler tasks that homeowners can tackle themselves between tune-ups. Filter Swaps One of the easiest yet most crucial maintenance jobs is regularly replacing your air filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow, straining the system and driving up energy costs. Check your filter every 1-3 months, depending on usage. If the filter is no longer translucent, it’s time to change it. While it may seem counterintuitive, be sure not to upgrade your filter to a higher SEER level without talking to your HVAC professional...

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Making Noises?

April 6, 2021

The typical modern air conditioner is designed to operate with minimum noise levels. If your air conditioner is making a loud or unusual noise, it could indicate an issue with one or more components of the air conditioner. Getting your air conditioner fixed can improve the performance of the air conditioner, reduce energy consumption, and allow the air conditioner to last longer. Any delay in fixing the air conditioner can worsen the problem, leading to costly repairs or needing to replace the air conditioner. The unusual noise is one of many indicators that can help alert you of possible problems with your air conditioner. Here are possible reasons why your air conditioner is making an unusual noise. Low Level of Refrigerant A leaking or low level of refrigerant can produce a hissing or whistling noise from the air conditioner. The role of the air conditioner refrigerant is to cycle through the system absorbing and releasing the heat at different stages of the cooling cycle. With a properly functioning refrigerant, the air conditioner will not be able to cool the air that flows in the room. The refrigerant level should not get low as an air conditioner is designed to be...

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Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

June 13, 2020

Like most homeowners, you rely on your AC unit to keep you cool during the summer. This is when you need your system to be operating in peak condition. Unfortunately, some air conditioners can experience hiccups. Your AC system may at times break down unexpectedly and leave you feeling stranded. It is advisable to let a professional technician handle any mechanical failures. However, there are certain simple steps you can take to troubleshoot your own equipment. These steps are easy to follow and could swiftly return your unit to top shape. AC Will Not Turn On One of the most common problems you are likely to experience is an unresponsive AC unit. In this case, your AC will not activate to begin the cooling process. Such a problem usually stems from underlying issues with the thermostat. Make sure that your thermostat is not faulty or broken. Additionally, you can try to change its setting to see if the situation improves. Ensure that the device is set to “cool” and not ”heat.” This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook simple settings on a thermostat. Another issue to look at is the circuit board. Ascertain that the circuit breakers are...

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Benefits of a UV Air Sanitizer

June 7, 2018

How clean is the air blowing around and inside your house? Most of the time, the answer to this question is “not good.” In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that the air quality inside your house is sometimes ten times more polluted than the air outside. One of the reasons why this could be happening is due to the excessive sealing of our homes in our quest to make them more energy-efficient. Micro-organisms such as mold and bacteria are among the leading invisible enemies of healthy breathing in your home in San Antonio, TX. One way to deal with these micro-organisms is through the installation of an ultra-violet air sanitizer. What Is a UV Sanitizer and How Does It Work? A UV air sanitizer utilizes UV-C which is part of the UV light spectrum that is usually filtered out by the earth’s atmosphere, to kill most of the airborne germs. The primary goal of the UV air sanitizer is to eliminate the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi. UV-C is not a new technology. It has been in use for over a century in various applications to kill germs in the air and on surfaces. In fact,...

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