DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

What Type of AC Installation is Best?

Monday, February 22nd, 2021
two-outdoor-ac-units-sitting-side-by-side

It’s deceptively cold throughout the country right now, however, the fact of the matter is, we’re going to have to start thinking about warmer weather—and if our homes are ready for that warmer weather—very soon. This means that if your air conditioning system was on its last leg last summer, now is the time to consider a replacement.

But there are so many options to choose from when it comes to AC installation! Most homeowners are used to seeing what’s known as the central air conditioner—the AC system that has a single outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected to a series of ducts. Have you heard of the heat pump though? This is very similar in function and setup to the standard central air conditioner, with one important difference. It works as a heater, too! Read on to learn more.

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Beware This Common AC Problem

Monday, September 7th, 2020
refrigerant-line-behind-air-conditioner

Have you been told by a general handyperson that the refrigerant in your air conditioner is low, and that it needs to be refilled? Perhaps they told you that it needs to be refilled —what we in the industry call recharged every year during AC maintenance.

Unfortunately, this is a little misleading. Yes, refrigerant leaks and problems are something we check for during your annual maintenance appointment. But refrigerant should not actually be leaving your system on a regular basis. In fact, your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant during installation to ideally last its entire lifespan, theoretically.

While refrigerant loss is a relatively common AC problem, that does not make it “normal” or a problem you can delay fixing. Read on as we uncover how you can tell if your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant, and why this is such a problem!

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Is It Ever Okay to See Ice On Your AC?

Monday, August 24th, 2020
ice-on-air-conditioning-unit

The short answer to this is “no,” but don’t worry, we will elaborate.

We do understand, after all, why this misconception exists. Since it is an air conditioner’s job to cool the home, it makes sense that ice may be part of the cooling process. But on the contrary, cooling systems don’t use ice at all, and this isn’t an effective way to cool your home.

So then, why is ice forming on your air conditioner? And what can you do about it? Read on as we dive into this.

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AC Myths to Ignore

Monday, August 10th, 2020
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There are some pretty common AC myths out there—are you believing them? And does it matter?

As for the latter question, yes, it matters. It matters because believing these myths could lead you to use your air conditioner inefficiently. When you use your cooling system inefficiently, you pay more than you should have to in order to keep cool and comfortable in your own home. You don’t want that, right?

Well then read on as we uncover just a few of the most common AC myths out there.

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Frequently Asked Air Conditioning Questions and Their Answers

Monday, June 29th, 2020
air-conditioner-with-clipboard-on-top

Air conditioners are complex pieces of machinery, and it’s natural to have questions about them. Probably the most common question HVAC professionals get about air conditioners is “how much will my AC installation cost?” The short answer to this question is “it depends.”

It depends on the type of air conditioner, the conditions of your home and your current ductwork if you have any, and it depends on your budget, when it comes down to it. While we can’t give you a clear-cut answer to this particular question, there are others that we can directly address. Read on!

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What Type of Air Conditioning Is Best for Your Home?

Monday, June 1st, 2020
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With summer right around the corner and temperatures already considerably warming up, it can be nerve-wracking to be in need of an air conditioner replacement. But if your AC isn’t performing as it used to or has broken down completely, you don’t really have a choice.

This is a big investment and we know it’s not one that comes easy, but we really do have to urge you to consider your options and who you’re working with for the job, rather than rushing into a purchase that might not be the best choice for your particular home.

If you’re on the fence about replacing your air conditioner or not sure what system is even the best for your home, we encourage you to read on!

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Questions to Ask Your HVAC Contractor

Monday, May 18th, 2020
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When you need to replace your HVAC system, or even schedule a tune-up or small repair, you have a decision to make on who to call. It may seem like a minor decision, but it can make a major difference to your HVAC system’s efficiency and longevity!

It’s a good idea to establish a relationship with an HVAC contractor before you trust them to do work in your home. Fortunately, we’ve provided a bit of a guideline below on the questions that you may want to ask your HVAC contractor before inviting them to install or service your climate control system.

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How to Spot a Cooling System in Disrepair

Monday, May 4th, 2020
technician-hands-working-on-air-conditioner-outside-unit

Your household’s central air conditioning system is one of the most important features of your home in regards to comfort and quality of life. It’s also one of the most specialized. As a homeowner, there’s a number of tasks you can take on, like fixing a leaky faucet or tightening a nail in a piece of furniture. But when it comes to your air conditioning needs, repairs require specialized knowledge and training.

Just like the vehicle you drive, or any other large piece of equipment, your air conditioner needs routine maintenance to keep working as it should. It’s a lot easier, not to mention cheaper, to address problems when they’re just starting out than waiting until months later when you can’t ignore them because your AC broke down. Maintenance helps you avoid large repair needs and keeps your cooling costs down, but of course, there is still a chance your system will need repair. How can you tell?

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Have You Scheduled AC Maintenance Yet?

Monday, April 20th, 2020
air-conditioning-outside-unit-with-clipboard-sitting-on-top

We get it—when an HVAC professional suggests maintenance for your air conditioning system, it can be an easy recommendation for you to dismiss. Unless something is wrong with your cooling system right now, like you noticed a sudden loss of cooling power, you may be tempted to put off maintenance, particularly if your air conditioner has been working “just fine.”

The fact of the matter is, though, that just like maintenance for your car, routine AC maintenance is vital to the performance of your cooling system as well as repair prevention. An as a trusted resource in your community, our team has the responsibility to share with you why regular maintenance is so important, and when you should schedule it.

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Don’t Ignore These 3 Sounds from Your AC System

Monday, April 6th, 2020
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While homeowners in some parts of the country are still using their heaters for the foreseeable future, here in the Woodstock area we’re just about ready to turn them off for the season and turn our attention to our air conditioners. Since this is the case, we hope you’ve already had maintenance done on your cooling system. Professional maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect your air conditioner. We’ll adjust and clean components that need it, then make recommendations for repairs as needed.

Maintenance helps slow the accumulation of wear and tear and ultimately helps your air conditioner last longer. You also can rest assured knowing you’ll rarely be surprised by unexpected repair needs.

All that said, it’s always a good idea to know the signs that your AC is in disrepair, even if you have had maintenance done already. There are various symptoms a malfunctioning cooling system can display, but there are 3 ominous sounds in particular you should be particularly aware of:

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