Over the years, we’ve worked with thousands of homeowners in the ever-expanding Phoenix metro area. Installing new HVAC systems, performing regular service and providing emergency repairs in the hottest city in America keeps us very busy indeed. We’re grateful for all our customers. In our line of work, given the complex nature of the electrical circuits, motors and multiple components involved, we can honestly say, no two air-conditioning/duct systems are exactly alike. Customers call us all the time with questions about their air conditioners. Here are few questions we’re asked on a regular basis:
- My air conditioner isn’t working. How can I tell if it’s broken?
We often receive emergency calls in the middle of the night from frantic customers claiming, “My air conditioner just stopped – you’ve got to get someone over here right away.” As soon as you notice your AC is not working, there are a few initial troubleshooting steps to take. First, checkout your thermostat. If the screen is blank or dark, that could be the problem. If the batteries are dead or there’s an electrical wiring problem preventing electricity from getting to the thermostat, then it’s not communicating with your HVAC system. If the thermostat appears to be in working order, then the next step is to check the circuit breakers for you AC system. If a breaker has been tripped, you’ll need to reset it. Turn it all the way off then back on again. Remember, some circuit breakers can be tricky. They’re not always clearly marked (although they should be), and they may require turning off and on more than once. If you reset the system, and your air conditioner turns on and works for awhile, then trips the breaker again, there is definitely something wrong and you should give us a call. - My electric bill has increased dramatically. Is there something wrong with my AC?
The Department of Energy states that air conditioning is responsible for the lion’s share of your monthly electric bill – especially in the summertime in Phoenix, when your air conditioner could be accountable for as much as 60 percent of your entire energy consumption. Common factors increasing your energy use include the settings on your thermostat. If you’re keeping it nice and cool inside your home, and your air conditioner is operating constantly, you’re going to run up a significant utility bill. That might seem so obvious, you wonder why we mention it. A few degrees higher or lower on your setting can make a big difference. Forgetting to adjust the thermostat while you’re at work can be significant. You might want to consider installing a new smart, wi-fi enabled thermostat which will give you more control over your air conditioning system. Other factors include refrigerant leaks, dirty coils, faulty fans or capacitors or other problems that impede air flow and lower the efficiency of your air conditioner. In other words, the harder your air conditioner is working to achieve the cool temperature you desire in your house, the more energy you’re going to use. Ideally, you should schedule service twice a year for your HVAC system to make sure everything is working properly. - How will I know when it’s time to replace my air conditioning system?
This is an important issue for all Arizona homeowners because replacing your air conditioner is something you’ll need to do sooner or later, as well as a major expense, quite a considerable job and not something you want to do in the middle of a blistering summer. In other words, if you’re trying to squeeze another year or two out of your old system, you may live to regret that decision. If your air conditioner happens to break down during a major heatwave when AC repair companies are overloaded with service calls, you could be without air conditioning for days. The best approach is to establish the age of your air conditioner (most systems will last up to 8-10 years). Have regular maintenance performed by the same company so they will get to know your AC system and understand its strengths and weaknesses. And keep track of your repairs so when the expenses total more than a third of the cost of a new system, you’ll know it’s probably time to consider a newer, more efficient AC system.
We’ve Got the Answers to Your Questions
If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Our friendly service technicians will take the time to perform a thorough and complete service inspection of your entire system and provide you with a detailed evaluation so you can determine what’s best for the comfort of your family this coming summer. Call us today.
