Most have experienced that dreadful day when their air conditioner says “enough – no more.”
Who should read this article?
Having problems now or feel it’s just around the corner? Is
your HVAC older than 8 years? Been taking it all for granted? Thermostat won’t
go below 80º? Feel like your power bill is way too high? Have no clue
about your attic insulation. You need to read this article.
AC problems escalate quickly as do repair costs. Being
proactive will save hundreds to thousands. I’ll explain the basics here, but always
remember heating and cooling is a complex endeavor that requires training and
licensed professionals.
Warning: Do not attempt to service the unit yourself. Turning
the power off still leaves you at risk of electrocution. HVACS use large
storage capacitors for starting and running. Disconnecting power has no effect
on the fully charged capacitors. These electronic components are like super
batteries only they discharge their full voltage at once.
Getting True Help
A host of predatory companies will charge top money when
your AC stops. That’s not us. Sure, we’re a contractor, but we find being
upfront and treating you like family is the only way to do business. You may even
find the solution to your problem here, so let’s talk air conditioners.
1.
Red flags hinting problems aren’t far off
2.
Checklist for fixing common problems
3.
Power company’s worst enemy: insulation
4.
Replace, Repair and Maintain
Luckily, at AllPhaseNow.com we have 24/7 emergency repair
service, maintenance plans and free consultations. Being a full service
company, we look at all aspects. In a lot of cases, your existing HVAC is fine
and other factors like insufficient attic insulation or duct work are the
culprit. It could be as simple as repairing a refrigerant leak.
Signs Your Air Conditioner May Be on Borrowed Time
Most common telltale signs you may be headed for trouble.
· Continual Service Calls
· Continually Adding Refrigerant
· Unit running 24/7
· Freezing up
· Not being able to reduce the temperature by at least 6º
· Unable to get home below 80º
· Airflow is not that cold
· Volume of airflow is barely noticeable
· Extremely high electric bills
· Temperature variations from room to room or between floors
· Scraping or banging noises from outside condenser
· Increasingly loud or revving sounds emanating from condenser
· Banging or screeching noises from the blower unit inside the house
· Unusual odors emitting into living space
As a rule, these usually indicate problems with your air
conditioner. However, we have an entire checklist you should check first. As other problems could be the main or a contributing
factor.
AC Checklist
Some of these can be DIY. Others require a professional. We’re
more than happy to schedule a free consultation, rule out all problems and if
you need it, check each and every point for you. With the expertise to rule out
all problems, HVAC and beyond, feel confident and the utmost trust we’ll only
do what’s best for you.
Clean air filter
Air filters have guides on how
often they should be replaced. Typically, 1 – 3 months. However, factors like
large families and pets hasten this process. Dirty clogged filters permanently
degrade performance and can cause units to freeze short term.
Properly attached cover or face
plate
Did you correctly reattach the
cover when last changing the filter? Sensors prevent most units from running
when it fails to detect the cover. Typically, this presents itself right away.
However, an “almost” attached cover can trick the sensors, loosen and detach
days later.
Good attic insulation
Can’t get the thermostat below
80º? Attic temperatures reach 170º. Attic insulation is critical to the comfort of
your home. Hot air always rises, right? Not always. Hot air seeks cooler air
and expands. Poor insulation does little stopping super heated 170º air
permeating into your living spaces. Sometimes referred to as “80 Degree Syndrome.”
The thermostat can’t get any lower. It’s a losing battle.
Before even looking at replacing
your air conditioner, it’s very important to get your attic’s insulation to a
sufficient level.
Attic Sufficiently Vented
Working attic ventilation is
vital. Compare it to cracking a window in your vehicle on a hot summer day. Ridge
vents, rafter vents (soffit and gable) and attic fans are most common. Covered
over attic vents trap hot humid air. Absorbing ever more heat and humidity
degrades and ultimately damages insulation and roofing shingles. It’s important
air flow unhindered with nothing blocking the flow.
Proper Duct Work
Badly positioned and overextended
ducts result in low airflow. Common duct problems range from too many registers
(“vents”) off one duct to resistance from too many turns, banks, bends and
other issues. An unbalanced system such as this results in weak airflow. Weak
airflow is almost as bad as no air conditioning at all.
Insulated Attic Ducts
Air ducts are made from metal.
If the metal isn’t insulated, the cold air is warming back up in the 170 degree
attic before it gets to you. It’s important every duct and connection point be
covered in insulation.
Vent and Register Placement
Vents return air back to the
HVAC for cooling. It’s critical that the air flow continue to circulate to
reduce the temperature of the air. Without a return vent, large areas of
uncirculated air continue to build. This is a common problem where additions
have been made to the home.
Working Fuse
Have you had a really bad
lightning storm just before you noticed problems? It could be that the fuse on
the outside condenser has taken a hit. This is an easy fix.
Clear Area Around Condenser
The outside condenser must be kept
clear of grass, weeds and other debris. This critical component cools the air.
Debris and weeds blocking airflow to the condenser impair this process and
shorten the product lifespan. Having a professional remove the condenser’s
housing and properly cleaning out debris has been known to make significant performance impacts.
Condenser Placement
The condenser should always be level,
at least 1” from the exterior wall, several feet from a dryer vent and 4” of
spacing between multiple units. All of these factors will limit not only the
performance but also the lifespan.
Insulation
Most homes have insufficient attic insulation. Power
companies love this. You are paying them hundreds you could be putting in your
pocket. The problem:
- Natural settling and depredation
- Gravity
- Pressure from stored items and foot traffic
- Insufficient job from the start
These and other factors make popular insulations used around
the Atlanta area on average only 25% effective vs. when first installed. In
these situations, additional insulation needs to be added. This is a cost
effective way to save hundreds and extend the life of your existing HVAC if not
too late. We have solutions for both adding to and replacing your attic
insulation with a far superior product.
Another secret power companies don’t want you to know about
is something new called radiant barrier. We use Copperflect which has a long
lifespan and insulates against heat coming into the attic. This innovative
product can drop you average summer attic from 170º to 90º.
Imagine the load that takes off your air conditioner and the end results.
Repair, Replace or Maintain
You can keep up with all this if want or you can let us do
all the worrying and upkeep. Try our free consultation to see where you’re
heating and cooling is at. Like our friendly and licensed staff? We’ll set up a
scheduled maintenance and service plan. Check out the various options.
