Tired Of Air Conditioner Repair Bills? Maybe It’s Time To Upgrade

You want your HVAC systems to run smoothly in the background–ideally, you won’t have to think about them much.  But if you’re dealing with multiple air conditioner repair calls, odds are your system is on your mind much more than you’d like.  While many air conditioner problems can be satisfactorily repaired by qualified technicians, sometimes it makes more sense to consider replacing the unit.  How can you tell whether you need a new unit?  Here’s a few things to keep in mind.

1. Is Your System More Than 10 Years Old?

Aging systems can not only be unreliable, but environmentally unfriendly.  Newer systems are not only more efficient, but they have been designed to not require freon, which is generally regarded as harmful to the environment.  Finally, an older system can be difficult to acquire parts for.  If your system is more than a decade old and working erratically, it’s time to replace it.

2. Are Repairs Getting Costly?

While we always try to give you the best price on service or air conditioning repair calls, sometimes older units are simply worn out and near the end of their life.  At that point, repair calls will continue to become more frequent, often racking up months of charges.  Rather than continuing to repair a failing unit, it can actually be less expensive to install a new, efficient air conditioner.

Read more here: http://www.phoenixsouthhvac.com/tired-of-air-conditioner-repair-bills-maybe-its-time-to-upgrade/

Get Ready For Winter: Air Conditioner Repair And Maintenance Steps

With all the planning and activities surrounding the holidays, the last thing most homeowners have in mind is  air conditioner repair and maintenance, but did you know that a bit of attention to your HVAC system this time of year can save you a lot of time–and money– in the summer?  Don’t neglect your HVAC system, especially if you plan to turn your air conditioner off for part of the year.  Here are some winterizing tips to consider.

1. Clear The Clutter

The outside portion of your air conditioner bears the brunt of any weather changes.  Before the days get gloomy, take a few minutes to check on the following:

• Debris: are there branches, dead leaves, or weeds around your outdoor unit?  These should be removed, so that nothing is touching the unit, possibly causing damage that would have to be repaired in the spring.
• Check for animals or insects: One reason for removing dead leaves or twigs from the area round your unit?  Mice and other small animals like to make nests there, and you don’t want uninvited guests wintering in your air conditioner.  Look for evidence of infestation like droppings or wasp nests.  If you notice them, contact a qualified exterminator.
• Electrical connections: Without touching them, inspect the electrical cords going to and from your outdoor units, if visible.  If you notice any fraying or damage, contact your HVAC professional immediately.

2. Change The Indoor Settings

Many people switch their air conditioner to “off” and don’t give it another thought, but unless you’re using a heating system, you might notice that the air in your home isn’t as well-circulated as usual.  Some HVAC units have the option to continue to filter and circulate air with fans even though they’re not cooling it.  If you want to continue to take advantage of your system’s air filtration, then consider switching to “circulate” rather than simply turning the system off.  If you’re planning to switch to heating, see our next tip.

3. Baby Is It Cold Outside?

Are you switching from cooling to heating?  When was the last time you gave your furnace any love?  Just as air conditioners perform more efficiently and are more reliable when they have proper maintenance, so are furnaces.  Here are a few things to think about checking, before the first cold snap:

• air filters
• settings
• cleanliness of the vents

If you can’t remember the last time you changed your furnace filters, and if you’ve never optimized the thermostat settings, now is the time to do so.  And dirty, dusty vents can cause lung and eye irritation and aggravate the feeling of “dry winter air” that many people find so uncomfortable.

 Read more here: http://www.phoenixsouthhvac.com/get-ready-for-winter-air-conditioner-repair-and-maintenance-steps/

Avoid Air Conditioner Repair Bills And Keep Your System Humming With Simple Maintenance Steps

It might be always sunny where you live, but ignoring seasonal cleaning and maintenance for your HVAC system can lead to costly air conditioner repair bills.  According to the Department of Energy, properly maintaining your air conditioner by taking steps such as changing filters can actually reduce your system’s energy consumption by 5%-15%.  Finally, maintaining your system just makes sense: a quality HVAC system is a significant investment.  Why not ensure that you’ll get as many years of service out of your system as possible?

 Read more here: 

http://www.phoenixsouthhvac.com/avoid-air-conditioner-repair-bills-keep-system-humming-simple-maintenance-steps/

Why Is It Important To Conduct An HVAC Audit?

If you aim to reduce operating costs, decline wear and tear of HVAC equipment, longer life span, and a better environment to make things work correctly and efficiently, then you got your answer. Performing an HVAC audit offers a chance to examine your HVAC system’s energy needs and pinpoint potential trouble spots by analyzing energy where the HVAC system receives the heaviest use, or the lightest or where it might be losing energy. Assessment of how well the HVAC system is doing is vital. In short, conduct a component-by-component examination of your HVAC system’s health and get the most out of minimizing energy loss and maximizing the system’s efficiency.

A typical energy audit would include a complete evaluation of your:

•         Home or company’s insulation and air flow measurements
•         Energy spending habits
•         Ductwork and indoor/outdoor unit inspections, etc.

Depending on the results of the energy audit, the following steps may also be required:

•         Adding, updating, or replacing air quality equipment
•         Sealing of ducts and minor leaks found in doors or windows
•         Installation of blown-in insulations
•         Tidying ductworks

Read more here: http://www.phoenixsouthhvac.com/important-conduct-hvac-audit/