Tuesday, December 31, 2019

5 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Is Struggling To Cool Your Home

Is your home not at the temperature you set your thermostat to? Does it seem like your air conditioner needs to run forever to get results? Does the air feel pretty warm? This means your air conditioner isn't working as it should be. When working correctly, an air conditioner unit should never fail to meet cooling demand. If any of the above problems have started, here is what could be causing them according to our team of HVAC experts at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling.

Lack of Maintenance

While you can miss a year if you forget, the longer your air conditioner goes without maintenance, the more strain it puts on the system. Lack of maintenance not only puts strain on the working parts, it may not allow them to work as effectively. If it is has been a few years since your last maintenance call, it is long overdue.

The Air Filter Needs Changed

It is widely believed that the air filter is there to improve indoor air quality, but that is actually a byproduct. The air filter is in place to protect the inner workings of your HVAC system by filtering the air coming in. If you have not changed the air filter in a while, it is not only very dirty, but it is struggling to draw in air.

Refrigerant Leak

If your air conditioner is not producing cold air, you could have a refrigerant leak. It is not excessively common, but it can happen, particularly if your air conditioner is very old or has suffered physical damage. If this is the case, you may notice ice built up on the air conditioner unit or a severe loss of cooling power.

Breached Ducts

If your ductwork has clogs or holes, the cold air produced by your air conditioner may not actually be getting to your home. It could be leaking out before it even gets to the vents. This is why if your air conditioner is struggling to meet the thermostat setting, you need to get those ducts checked out.

Improper Installation

If your air conditioner is actually new, you may not have an air conditioner that was appropriately sized for your home. Furthermore, even a unit too big can cause similar cooling problems due to short cycling. Count on our team at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling to install units that are sized according to your home’s unique measurements.

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.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Hire an Air Conditioning Contractor to Cool Down Your Sunroom

At JR Perkins Heating & Cooling, something we understand about living in a warm climate is that you may rely on your air conditioning system throughout a large portion of each year to stay comfortable in your home. This may allow you to roam from the kitchen to the living room and then the bedroom without ever feeling uncomfortable.

If you have a sunroom, you may like to use it for part of the year. But, this room may get hot without air conditioning, so you should hire an air conditioning contractor to add cooling. Here is what one of the HVAC technicians at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling can handle for you.

Temperature Control
A huge benefit that you will get to enjoy when you add powerful cooling to the sunroom is being able to manage the temperature so well. Throughout spring and fall, you may know that the room can feel somewhat comfortable, but you may like the room to feel even cooler.

Take an Optimal Approach
Although you could add a window air conditioner to the sunroom, you may not want to have a separate cooling system in your home when you have central air already. Another alternative is trying to get by with cooling the sunroom with airflow and fans. While constant airflow from a ceiling fan and floor fans can make the room tolerable, you may still not be fully satisfied.

By extending your air conditioning system to the sunroom, you can feel confident that you are taking the optimal approach to cooling down the space for your household. You are also ensuring energy efficiency.

Allow for Seasonal Usage
In the summer, your family members may know to avoid the sunroom altogether. The outside heat may turn the sunroom into a sauna, which may not be somewhere you want to go. With the addition of air conditioning, you can start using the sunroom throughout the entire summer. This will help you enjoy the ample sunlight that you can rely on during the summer months. Expanding your air conditioning system is a great way to increase usage in your sunroom.

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.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

How to Select the Right Contractor for Your AC Repair or Installation

Budget is a major concern for most of our customers; however, it should not be the only consideration when looking to repair or replace your air conditioning system.

Why You Should Be Leary of Ultra-Low Prices

The adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" certainly applies to AC repair and installation. It is a huge red flag if a contractor can offer rates far below the norm for contractors in the area.

  • Companies that advertise extremely low prices aren't going to be able to pay their employees a competitive salary, so they aren't going to attract the most qualified and experienced technicians.
  • To protect their profit margin, the company may use substandard equipment or cut corners that can impact the safety and efficiency of your system.
  • Companies that offer lowball pricing typically do not stay in business long and may not be around to honor the warranty if you should need service.
  • To remain profitable, companies that offer ultra-low inspection or service fees typically pad the bill with higher repair and equipment cost. They are relying on the fact that you won't call for a second opinion since they are already at your home.

How to Choose a Reputable AC Service Company

When looking for a contractor to repair or replace your AC system, you should consider the following:

How long has the company been in business?

Generally, contractors that are dishonest or who perform shoddy work do not stay in business long. At JR Perkins Heating & Cooling, we are proud to be a third-generation, family-owned business serving our customers for nearly 60 years.

What are the company's credentials?

In addition to being licensed and bonded, our HVAC technicians are North American Technician Excellence certified. We are also proud to be an APS and SRP-qualified contractor. This means that JR Perkins Heating & Cooling technicians undergo rigorous testing and continuing education beyond that required for normal licensing.

Does the company offer written estimates?

Less reputable AC contractors often refuse to offer written estimates or price guarantees. Some may even charge different prices for the same service based on the part of town where you live.

Does the company stand by its work?

A reputable AC contractor will offer warranties on both the equipment and the service. If a company doesn't believe in the quality of their work enough to guarantee the equipment and service, why should you?

What do customers have to say about their experience?

In addition to checking the company's online reviews, you should ask the company if they can offer the names of customers who may be willing to share their experience with you.

An uncompromising commitment to quality and customer service has allowed us to become the area's oldest family-owned and operated HVAC contractor. Call today to find out more about our services or to schedule a service call.

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.

Monday, September 30, 2019

How Long Does Air Conditioner Installation Take?

You're busy; we respect that! You need that new air conditioner installed, but you don't exactly have all the time in the world to wait for that to happen. If you need a new air conditioner installed, you may want an estimate on how long that will take. The short answer from the trained technicians at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is that it can vary depending on certain factors.

The first factor that can affect how long it will take is whether you have had an air conditioner before. If you are replacing your air conditioner, there is already infrastructure in place. Even if you are replacing an air conditioner, the technician still needs make sure you have the electrical system to support that new model, but in most cases, the home is already well set up. It will cut down dramatically on the time needed.

Another factor is the state of your duct work. You will likely already have usable ducts installed, but they may not be in the best shape. If your ducts need to be repaired, it adds onto the time, but is well worth it.

Finally, installation can also be dependent on where the air conditioner is installed. If you and your JR Perkins Heating & Cooling technician agree on an area, the more accessible it is, the faster the process will go. If it is hard to get your unit into or there are ten tons of toys or other obstructions there, it will add onto your installation time.

If you are looking to install a new air conditioning unit and want a time estimate that is adjusted for your specific circumstances, contact your chosen air conditioner technician. We can do an inspection to help you choose the right unit and give you a firm estimate on how long it will take for them to install it in your unique home.

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.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Should You Replace Your Furnace When You Replace Your Air Conditioner?

If your air conditioner or furnace has broken down, the broken portion needs to be replaced for the other to function. However, when you do this, should you also replace the other? The furnace and the air conditioner work together to get cool air in your home, but replacing both a furnace and an air conditioner at the same time can be expensive.

However, there are situations where you may want to consider it for the overall best result. At JR Perkins Heating & Cooling, our experience has taught us a few things about how to determine when replacement is necessary.

When to Replace a Furnace and Air Conditioner Together

In truth, furnaces generally have a longer lifespan than an air conditioner, which is great considering they cost more than an air conditioner to replace. However, an older furnace can impede a newer air conditioner from running at peak energy efficiency.

If you have a furnace that is older than 15 years old, you may want to consider replacing it with your air conditioner as well. Although furnaces can often last as long as 30 years, it will limit your air conditioner's ability to cool efficiently. The same should apply if you have an air conditioner with a fairly efficient SEER rating above 16. This is considered high-efficiency, but it may be a waste with an old furnace that cannot accommodate it.

When Not to Replace a Furnace and an Air Conditioner

You may know when you should replace your furnace and your air conditioning unit together, but there are also times in which you really don't need to. Typically, this can be said whenever a furnace is under 10 years old. Your furnace is still practically a young appliance at 10, as it has a maximum lifespan of 30 years. Your air conditioner, with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, may very well go out again before your furnace. In essence, you only need to replace them together every other replacement cycle.

For more questions on what the right choice is for your home system and budget, get in touch with our team of experts at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling today.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the longest family owned and operated 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.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Air Conditioner

If your home's air conditioning system is over ten years old, you should replace it with a more effective and efficient model. Doing so will help you avoid the need for costly repairs and also reduce your utility bills. Here are a number of factors that you should consider when selecting an air conditioner for installation.

Cost and Efficiency 
It's a common impulse to look for the cheapest HVAC unit available, but more costly systems are generally more efficient. They also need fewer repairs in the long run. Here are some of the most efficient air conditioners:
  • Central air: the largest and most common system type, used to cool an entire home through a duct system • Ductless: a more compact and efficient system, used to cool single rooms or an entire residence through a multi-unit system
  • Packaged: the smallest and easiest to install option, best for cooling small apartments and homes
  • Geothermal: the most efficient system, capable of cooling a home and acting as a water heating system simultaneously
Warranty 
Warranties are a must for any responsible buyer. They ensure that you are protected if something goes wrong with the unit. Be sure that your installer has warranty coverage. Know what needs to be done to keep your warranty valid. If the terms aren't followed, the warranty will not be usable when needed.

Thermostat Options 
Programmable thermostats allow your unit to be turned on and off at predetermined times. An expert at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling can show you how to set it to turn itself down or off when you need to leave for work or it's time for bed, then turn itself up or back on when you come home or wake up. Zoning systems let you set the temperatures of different rooms individually. This option is very helpful in residences where different people are comfortable at different temperatures. Smart thermostats can be run from your computer and use motion sensors to learn your patterns of movement and timing. This allows the thermostat to run in a way that is convenient for you without the need for programming.

If you are unsure about what type of air conditioning unit is best for you it may be best to sit down and have a detailed conversation with an air conditioning professional at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling. They have the experience and know-how to help you find the perfect unit to fill your unique needs.

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.

Friday, March 29, 2019

How this Refrigerant Phaseout Affects Your Air Conditioner

Most homeowners don't know it, but their air conditioner is probably approaching the end of its life cycle. Air conditioners typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years, but if you purchased yours before 2010, it should be replaced before 2020 due to the decision to phase out R-22 refrigerants.

R-22 is one of the most popular and widely used refrigerants in air conditioners. However, as of 2010, the decision was made to no longer use it by the Environmental Protection Agency and to slowly phase it out. Due to the Fluorocarbons and Hydrofluorocarbons that deplete the ozone, use of R-22 is to be phased out completely after 2020 when that last air conditioners using it will be ready to be naturally replaced anyway.

Afterwards, no new R-22 can be produced and any that is needed to make repairs will need to come from previously existing stocks or repurposed from old air conditioners. Air conditioners are built so that they technically do not lose refrigerant over time. The R-22 that is in your air conditioner now should last for its lifetime or longer. Unfortunately, if the unit becomes damaged, it can leak refrigerant and in order to actually cool the air, new refrigerant will need to be added after the leak has been repaired.

So, what does this mean for air conditioning after 2020? Once R-22 is discontinued, air conditioning repair that involves adding new refrigerant to your unit will be vastly more expensive, and eventually, impossible to even do. The good news is that if your air conditioner was manufactured before 2010, it is likely due for replacement by 2020 anyway (by design). If you’re not sure whether your unit is due for replacement by 2020, feel free to ask your JR Perkins Heating & Cooling technician.

While you may not want to replace your air conditioner, it will be beneficial in the long run because a newer air conditioner using other refrigerant alternatives can be more energy efficient and save you money in the long run. Additionally, you’ll be avoiding any harmful effects on the environment that can occur with the use of R-22.

If you have questions about replacing your AC unit, or what this R-22 phaseout means for your HVAC system, feel free to call JR Perkins Heating & Cooling today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

What to Do About Moisture Around Your Air Conditioner Vents

If you start to notice water stains on the ceiling around your vents or even feel the vents and they are wet to the touch, you have a problem that needs to be addressed promptly. What you are seeing is condensation forming inside of your vents. Similar to a can of soda, the air inside your ducts is cold, but the air around it is hot enough to form condensation inside your vents. Not only can this cause water damage, water in your vents can also result in mold growth that can be even more difficult to deal with.

At JR Perkins Heating & Cooling, we often explain to our customers why this happens in the first place. Condensation inside of your air conditioner vents will typically manifest for two reasons:

1. The duct boot, or the part where the duct connects to the vent, is possibly not properly sealed. This means that air is leaking out and meeting warm air. Not only does this cause moisture, but it effects energy efficiency as well.

2. The second cause is because your ducts are not properly insulated. Insulation of your duct work serves to not allow the hot air outside of the properly sealed ducts to meet with the cool air inside as directly. Insulation is installed to specifically prevent condensation from forming. If you, for some reason, installed your own duct work and didn't use insulation because you thought it was only for cold weather, this is a problem and likely the reason you have wet vents.

Once you have discovered wet vents, it is important to call your JR Perkins Heating & Cooling HVAC service technician to fix the cause. If the cause is not immediately apparent, your technician can help you find it and fix it. They can ensure your ducts are sealed tightly and find signs of compromised insulation. Furthermore, your service technician can help you test and mitigate mold and mildew within your duct work.

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.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

What Happens During an Air Conditioner Repair Call

If your air conditioner is broken, the obvious answer is to call a repair service like JR Perkins Heating & Cooling to get it back on its feet again. However, you may wonder what needs to be done or what is expected of you. Sometimes the best way to take the uncertainty out of the situation is to be informed about what will happen.

Your air conditioner repair visit will probably start off in a way you might not expect. It is likely that our technician will first want to look at the thermostat rather than the air conditioner. You'd be surprised at how many problems are really just a result of thermostat programming issues.

After that potential cause has been crossed off, it is time to inspect the air conditioning unit. The best case scenario is your technician will open it up and the problem will become immediately apparent. Unfortunately, things usually aren't that simple, so they will usually begin a special diagnosis process. This might include your technician listening to your air conditioner and checking the wiring.

The process of discerning which part of the air conditioner is broken is very much one of trial and error. Often times, all it takes is one broken part in the process and nothing works. Therefore, it’s important for your JR Perkins Heating & Cooling technician to isolate the singular part that isn't working.

Once the failed part has been found, this is where you will come in. Your technician will explain what broke and what is necessary to fix it. We will also give you an accurate estimate of the cost before doing the repair. Often times, it is more cost effective to invest in a new air conditioner rather than repair your old one, especially if the repair is just a Band-Aid for age.

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.