In record-breaking summer heat, an air conditioner that isn’t operating properly isn’t much better than not having one at all. If your air conditioner isn’t keeping your home as cool as it should be, there could be a couple of different reasons why. It’s important that you be able to recognize some of the output symptoms that indicate a problem with your air conditioner. Let’s take a look at those symptoms now.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Repair’
Why Your Air Conditioner’s Output is Low
Monday, August 1st, 2016Air Conditioning Noises You Should Listen For
Monday, July 27th, 2015Summer is a very stressful time for air conditioners. This is typically the only time that they are expected to run for hours at a time on a daily basis. That kind of stress can provoke all sorts of problems in your air conditioning system, some of which manifest in the form of strange noises. It’s a good idea to know what these noises signify, as the faster you can identify an air conditioning problem the faster you can get it fixed. Let’s have a look at some of the more common air conditioning noises you should listen for.
Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling as Well as It Should
Monday, July 20th, 2015It can be very frustrating to have your air conditioner output drop on a hot day, when you’re relying on it to keep your home cool. There are a number of different causes for this kind of thing, all of which require professional repair. Still, it helps to know some of the reasons why this drop in output might occur. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this happens, so that you can keep an eye out for the signs.
What to Do About Cool Spots in Your Home
Monday, July 6th, 2015Sitting on your couch watching TV should be an enjoyable experience, especially after a long day at the office. But, if your air conditioner deposits an abnormally high volume of cold air directly onto your couch, making you shiver despite the 90 degree heat outside, you may have a cool spot. Cool spots are an unfortunate side effect of modern air conditioning technology. They often occur when HVAC systems are improperly sized or ductwork is improperly installed. Other factors like insulation, vent configuration or window placement can also contribute to the presence of a cool spot (and possibly some hot spots). So, what can you do about it?
The Role Refrigerant Plays in Your Air Conditioner
Monday, June 29th, 2015With most of us using air conditioners on an almost daily basis during the summer, it’s important to keep an eye out for problems with your system. One of the biggest problems that air conditioners face is refrigerant leaks, which can cause all sorts of problems and eventually lead to a breakdown. In order to understand this problem, you have to first know the role that refrigerant plays in your air conditioner. Let’s take a closer look at what refrigerant actually does, and why it’s so important to the system.
Air Conditioner Parts You Need to Know About The Compressor
Monday, June 22nd, 2015Air conditioners are complex systems, and it’s unreasonable to expect you as a homeowner to know exactly how they work. After all, you don’t need to know how your car works down to the smallest detail in order to drive it. However, there are a couple of air conditioner parts that you should know a bit better. One of these parts is the compressor. Let’s take a closer look at the compressor, and how it can affect the wider system.
3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repairs
Monday, April 27th, 2015Problems with your air conditioner, as with most HVAC systems, are progressive in nature. The longer a problem is allowed to persist, the more likely that it will spread to other parts of the system. Some problems can even cause the entire air conditioner to break down if left alone for long enough. So how can you identify problems in time to stop them from damaging your system? By recognizing the signs. Read on for 3 common signs that your air conditioner needs repairs.
Scheduling AC Repairs During a Heat Wave
Friday, June 13th, 2014Air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA doesn’t always arrive at the most convenient times. We’ve already seen our share of hot temperatures this year and the summer is looking like one for the record books. Ideally, your air conditioner will perform reliably throughout the cooling season, which you can help ensure by scheduling regular maintenance sessions. But what happens when your air conditioner conks out at the very worst possible time? What do you do about scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave?
Generally speaking, you should turn your air conditioner off any time there’s a problem, regardless of whether it will still run or not. To do otherwise risks serious damage to the system with a correspondingly higher repair bill. Once the unit is off, you need to gauge the general safety levels to the heat and whether you can safely stay in your home. If you have access to fans, run them. Keep hydrated with plenty of water, and close blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight from shining into your home. If you can, head somewhere that offers air conditioning, whether it be a friend’s house, a nearby shopping mall or a public library. That way, you can stay cool and comfortable while you plan for a repair session.
With your immediate concerns out of the way, you should look for a service that provides quick and reliable repairs. Ideally, they should offer 24 hour service. Even if you don’t need it, it’s a sign of a company that can work confidently under pressure, and get you air conditioner repaired as quickly as possible. In those cases, the experts at Saddleback Plumbing are on call to move with speed. Summers in Southern California can be a killer and emergency air conditioning sessions, while unwanted, can be a serious matter. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA and our trained staff is ready to handle any problem you might encounter. That way, you can get back to a comfortable home without worrying about the health and safety of your family. If you’re interested in scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!
Air Conditioning Repairs to Consider Before Summer
Friday, April 25th, 2014Summers in Irvine can be lovely but they can also be intense. If your air conditioner breaks down during the summer months, you might be in for an unpleasant stretch waiting for emergency repairs to arrive. (Many other people will probably have their ACs break down on the same day.) To help prevent serious air conditioner malfunctions during the upcoming hot season, have all necessary repairs done now—even if you aren’t currently using your AC.
Since 1981, Saddleback Plumbing has helped homeowners in Orange County stay cool during the long summers. Our many years of experience make us an ideal choice when you need air conditioning repair in Irvine, CA.
Here are some of the repairs you should have taken care of during the spring if they’ve started to affect your air conditioning. All of these problems will grow worse without attention, so make the call today for repairs right away.
Recharge the Refrigerant
People sometimes ignore the appearance of frost along the indoor evaporator coil because it seems appropriate on a device that is sending out cold air. But ice on the coil usually means that the AC has lost its refrigerant charge due to leaking. Other signs of refrigerant leaks are hissing sounds and a drop in cooling. If the refrigerant isn’t recharged, the AC will eventually lose its cooling power and the condenser will suffer serious damage. Repair technicians will locate and seal any leaks, and then restore the refrigerant to its proper level.
Fix or Replace Failing Motors
When you hear a grinding noise coming from the AC cabinet, it usually indicates that one of the motors is failing. This can happen because of dirt, loss of lubricant, or overheating. Often, the whole motor will need replacement.
Stop a “Hard Starting” Compressor
An air conditioning system is “hard-starting” when the compressor stutters as it comes on and soon shuts off before completing its cooling cycle. There could be a number of reasons for this, such as low line voltage, a failing start capacitor, a tight or seized compressor motor, or a compressor near the end of its life. A repair technician can sometimes fix hard starting with a “hard start” kit, but in some cases the compressor will need to be replaced.
Whatever repairs your air conditioner needs, don’t try to do them yourself. ACs are intricate machines, and amateur repair attempts can cause the problem to worsen. A trained technician will need to investigate the problem and zero in on the exact cause so he or she can provide an accurate repair.
Don’t delay on any repairs, whether your air conditioning is hard starting, making odd noises, or causing hot spots in your home. Call Saddleback Plumbing and talk to our Irvine, CA air conditioning repair specialists today. Make sure you also sign up for our Membership Value Program to keep your air conditioning running each year with professional maintenance.
Reasons Why Your Air Conditioning System May Be Making Loud Noises
Tuesday, September 24th, 2013If you’ve ever had an air conditioning system in your home, the regular sounds it makes will be familiar to you: the whir of the fan and the hum of the compressor. Anything out of the ordinary, such as loud and unpleasant noises, is usually a sign of a malfunction or an impending one. If left unattended, this problem might eventually cause your air conditioner to cease working entirely. Whatever you do: don’t shrug off loud noises and hope they are only a temporary nuisance. When you decide you need expert help to figure out why your AC has started making loud sounds, contact the staff at Saddleback Plumbing. We offer 24/7 emergency ac repair services, so we can help get your air conditioner working right again at any time of the day.
Some of the usual suspects for an AC making loud noises include:
Low refrigerant charge: The fixed amount of refrigerant in your AC—it’s “charge”—can start to leak, damaging your system’s cooling power. It will also cause a loud noise in the compressor. This sound could also occur if the wrong type of refrigerant is put into the air conditioner, which is why recharging the refrigerant should always be left to HVAC experts.
Loose motor parts: If the moving parts in the motors that run the fans and the compressor suffer damage, they can create unpleasant rattling and grinding sounds. The motors will need repairs and perhaps replacements.
Damaged fan belt: The fan motors are hooked to the fans with belts, similar to the belts you find in car engines. If the belt is damaged or comes loose, it will start rubbing against other components and make strange sounds. This needs repair as soon as possible before the belt can damage other parts of the AC’s interior.
All the problems above need professional attention in order to fix them properly and safely. Don’t pry open the air conditioner cabinet to inspect the problem yourself and fiddle with any mechanisms. Contact a technician to discover the source of the problem and to repair it.
Avoid getting stuck with a busted AC in Irvine, CA. Air conditioning repair is only a phone call away with Saddleback Plumbing.