Signs of a Dirty Evaporator Coil on Your Air Conditioner

For a healthy air conditioner, it is crucial that the system remains clean. During those yearly maintenance calls, this is mostly what the technicians do. They check the system for issues and clean it to prevent any issues. However, if you are a little lax with your seasonal maintenance, knowing the signs that your evaporator coil is getting a bit dirty can help you know it is time to prioritize that maintenance call.

Your Air Conditioner is Slow to Cool

Have you noticed your home getting cool, but not as quickly as it used to? This can be a good sign that your evaporator coil is dirty. When dust and dirt begin to stick on that coil, it acts as an insulator. It makes it more difficult for it to draw heat from the air as it is passed over it. The air will still get cooled, but it will take some time.

Rise in Energy Bills

As a dirty evaporator coil takes longer to cool the air, your air conditioner runs longer. The obvious byproduct of this is a rise in energy bills. The worse it gets, the higher your bill will become. Anything outside of your usual range should be eyed with suspicion.

Water and Ice Around the Unit

The ultimate issue that will happen if an evaporator coil becomes too dirty is that it will start to freeze. This ice will then melt or break off and you may see it around the unit. Anytime you see an abundance of water around your air conditioner is a reason to call a professional out to investigate.

Unfortunately, a dirty evaporator coil is not something you should be cleaning yourself. The issue is that too much force can cause big damage that will lead to an expensive replacement. It is best that if you notice any issues to call a professional with JR Perkins Heating & Cooling.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com.

 

Does Your Air Conditioner Really Require a Yearly Tune-Up?

 Does your A/C really require a yearly tune-up? If you want a reliable air conditioner that doesn't call it quits halfway into the cooling season, the answer is yes. While you may get lucky the first or second year you skip out on a tune-up, the lack of maintenance will eventually catch up to your unit, meaning either a major malfunction will occur or your system's efficiency will dip, significantly. If you're still questioning the importance of having your air conditioner tuned-up, the consequences listed below will definitely change your mind.

Restricted Airflow

During a tune-up an air conditioning specialist thoroughly cleans your system. This includes checking and replacing the air filter and cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils. Excessive dirt and grime on the unit's coils and a filter left unchanged for too long are contributing factors to poor airflow. Restricted airflow can cause a number of issues, including frozen evaporator coils and a drop in efficiency. A lack of efficiency also means your air conditioner is forced to work longer and harder while trying to cool your home, which inevitably leads to components inside your A/C wearing down faster than they should.

Expensive Repair Bills

An air conditioner technician does a lot more than just clean your unit; they also inspect your air conditioner for damaged, loose, and leaking components, which, if left in disrepair can cause a major or even dangerous malfunction. During a tune-up an air conditioning contractor will perform a thorough examination of your system's fans, wiring, refrigerant level, and motor. If any issues are spotted they will either repair or replace the offending component. When you choose to skip your systems yearly tune-up, the parts in your unit that are beginning to wear down will continue to deteriorate, meaning what could have been a simple repair will likely turn into an expensive one.

Reduced Lifespan

Having your air conditioner tuned-up on a yearly basis is key to extending its life. On the opposite side of the fence, neglecting to have your system tuned-up every year will accelerate the aging process, meaning your A/C will call it quits earlier than its estimated lifespan. If you don't want to spend a large amount of money replacing your air conditioner prematurely, a yearly tune-up is extremely important. Contact JR Perkins Heating & Cooling to schedule a tune-up.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com.

 

3 Symptoms That Warrant Air Conditioning Repair

 Your air conditioner is all about providing comfort. The cool air flowing through your home's vents allows you to relax while the temperatures outside hits high levels. Unfortunately, that nice cold air can suddenly disappear. Although it may feel like your air conditioning unit failed to work with no warning, oftentimes, there are signs that indicate your system is on the verge of calling it quits. If your air conditioner is presenting any of the symptoms listed below, it's time to contact a trusted HVAC technician.

High Humidity

As your air conditioner cools down your home, it also dehumidifies the air. This happens when humid air moves across the evaporator coils in your unit. The coils then condense the water droplets found in the air, and release them into a drain. If the air in your house remains humid even though your A/C is running, there's a good chance the evaporator coils are dirty. The dust and dirt covering the evaporator forms a barrier between the coils and the air, which interferes with the coils' ability to cool and dehumidify the air inside your home. Hiring a HVAC technician to tune-up and clean your air conditioner once a year will help you avoid this issue, along with many other malfunctions.

A Spike in Your Energy Bill

Your home's energy bill obviously goes up during the cooling season, however, a large spike is a huge red flag. A hike in energy use indicates a loss in efficiency, meaning your air conditioner is working harder than before while it tries to cool your home. This symptom can point to a number of malfunctions, some more serious than others. Unfortunately, if you choose to ignore this warning sign, even the simplest malfunction can snowball into your unit eventually breaking down due to premature wear and tear.

Atypical Noises

You've become accustom to the noises your air conditioner makes when it switches on, unfortunately, when those familiar sounds are replaced with new unusual noises, a malfunction somewhere in the system is more than likely present. Clanking, gurgling, screeching, and rattling are all sounds that imply your air conditioning unit is suffering from a failing or damaged component. While you may be tempted to diagnose the malfunction yourself, it's better to hire an air conditioning specialist to inspect and repair your A/C system sooner than later.

If your air conditioner is acting strange, or you haven't had the unit tuned-up in several years, give JR Perkins Heating & Cooling a call today, and we'll be happy to help you schedule an appointment with one of are HVAC specialists.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com.

 

The Best Ways to Prevent Air Conditioner Repair

While repair can be inevitable as your air conditioner ages, it doesn't have to be something you need to do every season. By taking proper care of your air conditioner, you can cut the amount of repairs that it will need to have over its lifetime in half. Proper care also means that your air conditioner will run longer before it starts manifesting problems. The issue is that most owners don't know what can even be done to care for an air conditioner.

Set It To The Correct Temperature

You may feel like setting your air conditioner well below the temperature you want cools your home faster, but that is a myth. In fact, the only thing that does is tell your air conditioner to run longer. This means that if it reaches your desired temperature and you forget to set it correctly, it add excess wear on your air conditioner.

Keep the Unit Clear

An air conditioning unit is built so that it can effectively drain away condensation and have good ventilation. However, letting the leaves pile up near it or allowing the grass to grow tall around it invites moisture that can cause rust to form.

Keeping the Unit Level

Most AC units are on a concrete slab or otherwise raised off the ground. This should remain perfectly level, but if you have had a particularly wet season and you notice the unit sloping, then that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. It will cause poor drainage and any built up moisture inside will cause damage.

Keep a Maintenance Schedule

The best thing you can do for your air conditioner is to schedule seasonal maintenance for it. When that technician comes out, they will take care of all the maintenance tasks that you don't know to do. This includes:

• Cleaning the interior of the unit
• Lubricating the necessary working parts
• Checking for wear or damage
• Making proper adjustments
• Tightening any loosing bolts or screws

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com.

Is Your Air Conditioning Problem Actually a Thermostat Problem?

A thermostat seems like a simple tool that regulates the temperature in your home, but it plays a bigger role than its size would suggest. The thermostat is essentially the brain of your air conditioner. It controls when it turns on, and when it doesn't. Just like the actual working parts of your air conditioning system, the thermostat can also manifest problems. Unfortunately, thermostat problems often do not present themselves as thermostat problems. They seem an awful lot like air conditioning problems.
 

Short Cycling

This can be a common air conditioner problem if you have an AC unit that is too big for your house. It turns on and shuts off a short time later without running the full cycle. This means your home is not cooled efficiently. Your energy bills go up, the temperature is unstable, and it wears your unit down faster. However, if a thermostat has a temperature sensor malfunction, it can cause this issue all on its own.

Incorrect Temperature

You set your thermostat to a nice 70 degrees, but it sure doesn't feel like it. Using a thermometer, you find that your home is either much higher or much lower than that. This can be a case of thermostat miscalibration. Essentially, it thinks this incorrect temperature is what you set it to despite the reading.

Blower Fan Malfunction

The blower fan is responsible for circulating the cold air created in your air conditioning unit. However, if it is not cycling off or just never starts, it is likely that it is not getting the proper signals from your thermostat. If it runs constantly, sometimes the problem is as simple as the fan was set to "ON". However, both issues can be caused by faulty wiring in your thermostat.

Our team of experts at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling knows that while miscalibration can typically be fixed quickly, most other thermostat issues will require the thermostat to be replaced. The good news is that an air conditioning issue that is really a thermostat issue is much more affordable to fix.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com