What If I Need Air Conditioning Service Repair?

When your air conditioner goes out, it can be a disaster - especially in the summer in Scottsdale AZ. Getting your a/c back up and running again will become the number one priority. This does raise some very important questions:

• Can I repair my air conditioner myself or do I need to hire someone?
• If I do need to hire, should I hire a local contractor or a company professional?
• Can our budget afford this? What kind of pricing will I be looking at?
• How long will this take? Is it going to be anywhere between a day and a month?
• Does the repair service come with a warranty? If it quits again in a month, will they come back out for free?

The answers to these questions can fluctuate, the main reason being the difference between having built-in heating and cooling for the home, or if your home is equipped with window unit air conditioners or portable ones. Typically, window units and portable air conditioners do not need to be repaired, simply replaced. The exception to this is if they are still under warranty and the manufacturer or business where they were purchased will repair them for free or a small fee.
With in-home cooling, whether you decide to hire locally or through a business, all of the above questions can be easily answered through their available website. If it does not list prices, area availability, time frames, warranty guarantees, and if there are any available promotions, there should at least be a contact number available to speak with someone in person about these questions. Any information you get through the website or through an individual, I would get a copy of in e-mail. This will ensure that if you end up speaking with someone else, you are still able to get the original terms you were quoted.

JR Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley. To learn more please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.

Service Your Air Conditioning System after Each Tenancy in Your Rental Home

Although it is tempting to avoid routine home maintenance in hopes of saving money, you will only find yourself with lots of problems to fix, and they will not be inexpensive. For your own home, you may have no problem getting professional help to keep your home in tip-top shape. However, when you own a rental home, you may not think much about maintenance as you are not the one living there. It is best to service your air conditioning system after each tenancy to enjoy some noteworthy benefits.

Provide the Next Tenant with a Working System 

Your tenants deserve to live in a functional home, which includes the cooling system, especially in the Scottsdale area, where temperatures can reach over 100˚ Fahrenheit for months on end every year. If a potential tenant walks into a comfortable rental home in the middle of summer, they may feel that much more inclined to apply.

Do Not Miss Major Problems 

Not getting routine checkups can lead to missing out on crucial air conditioning issues. This minor mistake can lead to expensive repairs, which you want to avoid as a rental home owner.

Optimize Spending and Rental Value 

In cities like ours, where the cooling system is so important to living comfortably, utility costs can add up quickly, especially in older homes that are not well insulated. Unfortunately, it is even worse when an individual cannot maintain a comfortable temperature in their home because the cooling system does not work properly. Routine servicing will keep the cooling system working at peak level. Also, when applicants ask about the average utility bill, you can show them reasonably low numbers.

It is far better to spend money on air conditioning maintenance, as opposed to repairs. So, make sure to give the professionals at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling a call to tune-up the air conditioning system at your rental property - you won’t regret it!

Four Reasons Air Conditioning Service Is Essential

Regular air conditioning service helps keep your system running at optimal efficiency. But often, homeowners neglect to service their air conditioner annually. Unfortunately, units require regular service to function properly. Here are four reasons air conditioning service is essential:

1. Maintenance actually saves you money. A neglected air conditioning unit will inevitably break down at some point – often at a horribly inconvenient time, like on the hottest day of the year. Repairs can be costly and usually preventable through regular maintenance. In addition, the entire system will last longer if it has received regular preventative maintenance. Spending a little money each year may save you a bundle in the long run.

2. Your air conditioner loses efficiency each year. Regular service will keep it at optimum efficiency. Going without service will result in substantially higher power bills. An air conditioner that is not efficient is unable to cool your home effectively on the hottest days of the summer.

3. Skipping maintenance may actually void your warranty. In order to maintain your warranty, perform regular maintenance on the air conditioning unit. Maintain a list of all service dates with your warranty paperwork.

4. Protect your health! Clean filters and coils will prevent air quality concerns. Neglecting maintenance can allow mold and bacteria to grow and cause respiratory distress in individuals with asthma and allergies.

Remember, have your air conditioning unit thoroughly cleaned and properly serviced at least once per year. Many people choose to have it maintained in the spring to ensure that it is ready to work through the hot summer months. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment!

10 Tips on What to Look for in an Air Conditioning Contractor

When it comes to air conditioning, many people are clueless as to what exactly goes on behind the scenes to keep their house nice and cool. Air conditioning contractors are the experts, but like in any business, there are people who excel at their job and there are others who might not be at the top of their game. Air conditioning contractors can be expensive, so it's important to make sure you're getting bang for your buck. Here are 10 tips on hiring an air conditioning contractor.

1. Look for contractors that are affiliated with the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association or the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. You can find contractors in your local area that belong to these organizations by searching their websites.

2. Check if technicians are certified by the North American Technician Excellence organization.

3. Don't agree to hire a contractor that gives you an over-the-phone estimate without even looking at the problem.

4. Good contractors often have cooling estimation calculators and can give you estimates for the annual cost of your cooling system. If your contractor is hesitant to provide an annual estimate of the system they are recommending, perhaps look for business elsewhere.

5. Be hesitant to hire the contractor with an unusually low price estimate. Shop around and get several estimates, but keep in mind that if one estimate is drastically lower than the others, they could be selling unreliable or faulty products.

6. A good contractor will be professional and reliable. Look for a contractor who is on time and courteous.

7. Ask your friends for recommendations! It never hurts to get advice from others since, after all, they have actually experienced how their contractor does business.

8. Make sure your contractor is insured. In the case that anything goes wrong, you want to make sure your home is protected.

9. Ensure that you get an estimate in writing. An honest contractor will have no problem putting their work estimate in writing before they start the job.

10. Don't be afraid to ask for references! If you're new to the area and don't have anyone to ask for referrals, don't hesitate to ask a potential contractor for references from their prior clients.

If you have any questions or concerns about if the J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling team is the right air conditioning contractor for you, or simply would like more information about air conditioning services in the Phoenix area, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Are You Ready to Stop Living in a Dust Bowl?

Does it seem like you’re forever walking around the house with a dust cloth in one hand and a bottle of polish in the other? Are the dust mites so at home in your house that they’ve starting hosting parties for their friends? If so, it may be time to call an air conditioning contractor instead of a maid. Why? It could be your home’s cooling and ventilation system that’s to blame.

How Did This Happen?
Dust is typically a compilation of everything from pet dander and dead skin cells to dirt blown in by the ventilation system. Today, we wanted to talk about the ventilation system dirt. It generally comes from a handful of sources. The chief ones are air leaks, air vents and ductwork. Now think about where your home’s ductwork is located. Chances are it runs through places like the attic, crawl spaces and wall voids.

Those are normally dusty places due to air leaks, insulation and insect or rodent activities. If the cooling system’s ductwork has holes in it or ineffective seams, it can suck in the dust from those areas and shoot it into a home via the air vents. Consequently, it may eventually seem like you’re living during the Great Dust Bowl instead of 2015.

But that’s not all. Remember, air conditioning systems pull outside air into a home too. And we all know that the air outside isn’t always the best. That’s partially why disaster planners and firefighters recommend closing a cooling system’s vents during wildlife outbreaks. Similar may be said for allergists that urge their patients to hire air conditioning service companies capable of installing allergen filters, conducting ductwork inspection and ventilation system cleaning.

Are You Ready to Put Down the Dust Cloth? 
J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling can find out if your home’s HVAC system is contributing to your dust problem. If it is the chief cause of the dust mite convention, they’ll be able to clean and repair the system. So you can put down the dust cloth and begin living in comfort again. To request an estimate and learn more, give us a call at (480) 946-5083.

Try These Five Simple Checks Before Scheduling Air Conditioning Service

Many of us have had those embarrassing moments when we ask for help to fix something only to find that it wasn't plugged in. When it seems your air conditioner isn't working, it's a good idea to rule out the simple things before calling an air conditioning service provider. Here are five of them:

Make Sure It Has Power

If your AC unit is turned on and plugged in, check the circuit breakers to make sure none have tripped. If resetting the circuit breaker solves the problem and your air conditioner continues to operate without tripping a breaker, then you should be good to go. When resetting a circuit breaker, turn it off and then turn it back on.

Carefully Check Your Settings

Assuming your air conditioner is broken when the settings are improperly adjusted happens to the best of us. Distractions, stress, being rushed, or even a bad day can make this happen. Make sure the setting is on "cool" rather than "heat" and that the temperature setting is below the temperature of your room.

Check Your Thermostat Batteries

A thermostat with a dead battery can't signal the air conditioner to turn on. Thermostats usually have a light or message display that indicates the need for a battery replacement.

Check Your Filter

A dirty air filter causes weak airflow and may even shut some units down. Do a quick filter check and replace it if it's dirty. It's best to do routine air filter checks before you experience problems because your AC unit will use less power with a clean filter. Less power consumption means a smaller electric bill at the end of the month.

Check For Air Leaks

If your window unit is having trouble cooling your room, there may be air leakage between the window and the air conditioner. Check this by lighting an incense stick and holding it next to the window. If the smoke is disturbed by air currents, your air conditioner hasn't been properly sealed.

If the problem doesn't go away after eliminating the simple stuff, it's time to call in the pros. Give us a call at (480) 946-5083, or schedule service via our website.

Common Questions About Air Conditioning Service, Installation and Repair

Air conditioners make our lives more comfortable and make it possible to do productive work when the outside temperature would otherwise force us to take afternoon siestas. However, getting the best use from these machines requires some knowledge about air conditioning service, installation, and repair. Here are five frequently asked questions:

When should an air conditioner be regassed?

The gas inside an air conditioner doesn't degrade or get old. The only time an air conditioner needs regassing is when it has a leak.

When should I replace my air conditioner?

If your air conditioner is fairly new, repairing it is the better option. However, if it is near the end of its operational life, you may want to consider replacing it. Hanging on to an old machine will mean continuing repair costs as its various components wear out. If your unit is older than ten years, you can get substantial energy savings by getting a new replacement. New air conditioners benefit from technology improvements that give them considerable energy efficiencies.

Before calling an air conditioning service company, what should I check on my own?

Make sure it's not turned off, that the thermostat is set properly, and that it's getting power. Checking the power is done by making sure no circuit breakers are tripped. If you find that your AC unit frequently trips your circuit breakers, this indicates a problem that needs to be looked at by an AC service technician.

How frequently should I schedule maintenance for my air conditioner?

To keep your unit running efficiently and to avoid expensive breakdowns, regular maintenance is best. The best time of year for an air conditioning tune up is spring to early summer.

Is a bigger air conditioning system better?

The size of the space you wish to cool determines the capacity of the air conditioner. Bigger is not better in this case. An oversized air conditioner will constantly cycle on and off. Because air conditioners are inefficient when they're first turned on, the constant cycling will run up your electrical bill. Air conditioners also require steady running time to remove humidity. Therefore your home will have a low temperature and a high humidity, which means it'll feel cold and clammy.

If you need any more information about the questions above, or have any other questions about air conditioning service, installation or repair, we can help! Give us a call at (480) 946-5083 - we'd be happy to help!