The modern air conditioning system is a complex piece of refrigeration equipment. It relies on numerous precision parts in order to operate correctly. One of the key components inside an AC is the capacitor, which forms part of the electrical system that provides power to the air conditioner. Each AC contains a number of capacitors that serve various motors. At times, capacitors may fail and require an HVAC technician to replace them in order to restore the system to full operation.
Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
What Capacitors Do in an Air Conditioning System
Monday, June 29th, 20153 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Getting Your Home as Cool as It Used To
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015It’s summer here in Fresno, CA, and that means air conditioning systems all across the city are working to keep homes pleasantly cooled down. But have you noticed that your house no longer feels as cool as it should? Have you discovered hot spots in some of the rooms? Do you need to keep the AC running longer and longer in order to reach the right comfort level during a hot day? Then there is probably a malfunction in your HVAC system that is impairing your air conditioner’s ability to work properly. The best course is to call an experienced HVAC technician to come to your home, discover what is wrong with the air conditioner, and repair it.
3 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioning Is Short-Cycling
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015The term short-cycling refers to when the compressor of an air conditioning system turns on and off rapidly, never getting a chance to complete its full cooling cycle. A short-cycling air conditioner is a serious problem for a number of reasons: The extra stress placed on the components will lead to multiple repair needs. The strain can cause the compressor to break down, which often requires that the whole system be replaced. And because air conditioners draw the most power when the compressor starts up, a short-cycling AC will create a large increase in electrical bills.
An Oversized Air Conditioner: Why This Is a Problem
Tuesday, May 26th, 2015When you need a central air conditioning system installed, whether for a new home or to replace an older system, you must call professionals to handle the work. This is not only to ensure that the new air conditioning system is put in correctly so that it works at maximum efficiency and effectiveness. It is also to make sure that the right system is put in. An error in sizing a central air conditioner (i.e. determining how powerful an AC is necessary for a specific home) will lead to multiple problems for both comfort and energy efficiency. In most cases, an improperly sized air conditioning system must be replaced.
What the Condensing Unit Does in a Central Air Conditioning System
Monday, May 18th, 2015The standard central air conditioning system found in homes is a split system: it consists of two units housed in different locations that are connected through power and refrigerant lines. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil and the air handler that sends cooled air into the ductwork and then to the rooms. The outdoor unit is called the condenser.
3 Common Misunderstandings about Air Conditioning Systems
Monday, May 11th, 2015Air conditioning systems are such a standard part of life during the summer—especially in a place that grows as hot as the Central Valley—that it’s easy to take them for granted. This is one of the reasons that there are so many myths and misunderstandings about air conditioners that continue to spread. Below are three common ones we wish to dispel:
Air Conditioning Question: What Does Refrigerant Do?
Monday, May 4th, 2015Modern air conditioning systems are complicated machines that require a balance of components working in peak condition: the compressor, fans, coils, capacitors, motors, etc. All of these parts play vital roles in providing a home with cool temperatures. If one of the parts starts to fail, it can mean a drastic drop in efficiency and effectiveness.
Spring Is the Right Time for Air Conditioning Installation
Friday, April 10th, 2015Spring is the season when homeowners should schedule professional maintenance for their air conditioning systems to make sure they are ready to handle the summer weather. It is also the ideal time for homeowners to install new air conditioners if their current ones have doubtful futures.
If you are considering replacing the aging air conditioning system in your home, now is an excellent time to have the work done—even if your current AC is still performing at an “adequate” level. You can contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to arrange for regular maintenance that will help you decide if it is time for new air conditioning installation in Fresno, CA. We will help you pick the best model to suit your cooling needs and have it installed quickly. You will then be ready to take on whatever temperatures the summer might send your way.
One of the reasons that it is a wise idea to arrange for air conditioning installation during the spring is that scheduling the work is easier. Spring is a slower time of the year for HVAC professionals: they are not busy with winter heating system repairs or responding to calls for summer air conditioning emergencies. Technicians spend this season helping homeowners get ready for the summer heat with maintenance services and new installations. When you arrange for a new air conditioning installation during the spring, you should have few problems scheduling a time that is convenient both for you and your contractor.
Spring installation will also see that your house is ready ahead of the worst heat waves. Delaying with putting in a new air conditioner only increases the chances that your current system will have to turn on to cope with a hot day—only to finally break down. It is better to play it safe and have the ailing AC replaced before the arrival of summer. Your new air conditioner’s superior energy efficiency will also see that you start saving money right away.
For new air conditioning installation in Fresno, CA, trust to the company that has served the Central Valley since 1952: Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.
Some Air Conditioning System Warnings Signs to Watch for in the Spring
Monday, April 6th, 2015Spring is the season when you should arrange for professional air conditioning maintenance. This service will see that your home’s AC is cleaned, tuned-up, and any potential malfunctions caught before they become serious problems. Annual spring maintenance is the best way to protect your home comfort through the summer.
But even with the best maintenance possible for your air conditioning system, you must pay special attention to warning signs from it during these early spring days. Odd behavior can point to developing faults that may lead to an inefficient cooling system or even repairs down the road. If you notice any of the following from your air conditioner while it is running during the spring, give the professional service technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning a call right away. Our expert team is ready 7 days a week to look into any problem with your air conditioning system.
- Out of the ordinary noises: You probably have a good idea of the sounds that your air conditioner makes while it’s running normally. When something that doesn’t sound right interrupts this regular series of sounds—such as mechanical grinding, hissing, or clicking noises—it probably means something is wrong with the AC that needs attention.
- Ice on the indoor coils: Although ice may seem like something normal for a system that sends out cold air, it isn’t. If the indoor coils of your AC begin to develop frost, one of a number of problems is affecting the system, and all of them are serious. Get service technicians on the job right away for repairs.
- Odd smells from the vents: If you notice acrid, musty, or moldy scents coming from the air vents, don’t hesitate to contact HVAC professionals to look into it. This could indicate a motor that is overheating, or it may point toward ductwork damage that will require repair work from ventilation specialists.
It’s crucial that you never ignore unusual behavior from your air conditioning system. These aren’t “quirks”: they are the way that your AC warns you it requires the service of professionals.
Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for the AC services you need to prepare for the coming hot season in Fresno, CA and throughout the Central Valley. Quality is the cornerstone of our success, and has been for over 60 years.
Ways Faulty Ductwork Can Affect Air Conditioning
Friday, September 19th, 2014Not all the trouble that can plague an air conditioning system comes from inside the AC cabinets. Often, a faulty thermostat can cause a cooling system to work incorrectly. Another common source of air conditioner problems are faults in the ductwork connected to it, such as air leaks and breaks.
It is often difficult to tell the source of a malfunction in an AC if you are not a trained technician. Don’t attempt to guess at what has gone wrong when your air conditioner starts to lose its cooling ability, generate strange noises, or show other signs of working incorrectly. Call on HVAC experts to look into the problem, locate the source, and fix it.
Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley since 1952. If your air conditioning system is suffering from problems due to faulty ductwork, you can trust to our team to handle the necessary repairs and duct sealing to restore your cooling.
How Faulty Ductwork Impairs an Air Conditioning System
Well-designed ventilation systems are airtight. This prevents loss of air pressure as the conditioned air from the AC moves toward the vents. Even a small leak along the ductwork can cause a drop in air pressure that will lower the airflow from the vents and lead to a loss of cooling in the rooms.
As an air conditioner loses air pressure because of faulty ducts, it will also start to work harder in order to maintain its target temperature. This places extra strain on the system, which increases the chances of it malfunctioning. The increased stress level on the mechanical components will also make the air conditioning system age faster and possibly need premature replacement.
Breaks along ducts often permit outside contaminants into the ventilation system, and subsequently into the AC. Even if this extra dust and dirt gets caught in the system’s air filter, the filter will rapidly clog up to the point that it will cause a large increase in the strain on the air conditioner. Clogged filters may also lead to ice developing along the indoor evaporator coil.
Call Us for Ductwork Sealing
When you suspect that your air conditioning system is suffering due to leaks in the ductwork, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to schedule AC service in Fresno, CA. All of our technicians are NATE and EPA-certified, and they are on call 7 days a week for your convenience.