Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

3 Common Problems with the Condenser Unit

Friday, August 22nd, 2014

Recurrent repair needs are a strong sign that it may be time to consider a new air conditioning installation. Sometimes various problems can occur, or you may deal with one part of your system breaking over and over again. Today we’re going to discuss common problems with your condenser unit and how they can affect your system. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has trained experts for both repair and installation, so if it’s time to repair or replace, call the technicians you can trust.

What Is the Condenser Unit?

The condenser unit resides in the outdoor cabinet of your air conditioning system. The condenser is comprised of the condenser coils and condenser fan. The main job of the condenser unit is to release the heat from the refrigerant after it’s pressurized in the compressor. The condenser is the middle part of the refrigerant cycle, and when there are problems with the condenser, it can cause system-wide imbalances.

Common Problems with Condenser Unit

There are several common problems that can occur with condenser units:

Refrigerant Leaks

The refrigerant passes through the narrow tubing of the condenser coils, releasing heat as it makes its way toward the indoor evaporator coils. Leaks can develop in the coils, throwing off the delicate balance of the refrigerant. The refrigerant facilitates the transfer of heat in your system, so if the level is reduced due to a leak, the entire heat release/cooling process can malfunction. Problems that can occur from low refrigerant are warm air blowing, icing and compressor issues. Leaks need to be repaired in order to restore proper functioning.

Dirty Coils

It is natural for the condenser coils to attract dust and dirt. However, if the dust and dirt aren’t cleaned from the coils at least once a year, these particles can develop a layer that will act as insulation on the coils. This inhibits the heat release of the refrigerant, and can create problems with the entire cooling process in your system.

Condenser Fan Issues

The fan on your outside unit is known as the condenser fan. This fan helps remove the heat released from the condenser coils and blows it outside; it also helps with airflow. Different problems can emerge with a fan, such as a worn fan belt, motor issues and problems with wiring. All can affect how a fan operates, which can have a direct effect on the heat release process.

If you see recurring problems with your condenser unit, it may be time to consider a new air conditioning system. Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today and schedule an air conditioning installation in Fresno with one of our installation experts.

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How Do Heat Pumps Cool?

Friday, August 15th, 2014

Although the word “heat” is included in the term “heat pump,” this high-performance system does more than keep people warm. While these systems can move heat into a home, they can also move heat outside, allowing cool air to blow into a house through the vents. Heat pumps are actually very effective cooling systems because they work exactly like standard air conditioners, but with one key difference: the reversing valve that allows for dual functions.

Much like any other air conditioning system, a heat pump cools a home using a chemical blend called refrigerant. The system is only called a heat pump because it pumps heat into your home during the heating season and pumps heat out of your home in the cooling season. Refrigerant is responsible for the thermodynamic process that allows for this heat exchange to occur.

When you turn on your heat pump during the cooling season, refrigerant first leaves the compressor as a high-pressure gas and makes its way to the condenser. Here, heat releases into the outdoor air during the condensation process that changes the refrigerant into a liquid. The expansion valve allows the pressure of the liquid to drop. Finally, it flows to the evaporator coil, where the liquid refrigerant evaporates into a gas and absorbs heat in the process. An indoor fan then blows cool air into your home.

The reversing valve is the part that differentiates the heat pump from a standard central air conditioner. When you switch the thermostat to heating mode, refrigerant actually flows in the opposite direction, a process unavailable with most central air conditioning systems. When the thermostat engages the reversing valve, refrigerant flows in the opposite direction. When this happens, refrigerant pulls heat from the outside air and moves the heat indoors.

Heat pumps can be very efficient systems for both heating and cooling. Many heat pumps have high SEERs (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios), and a high HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). These rating systems give an indication of a system’s average energy use, so you can save money selecting a more efficient system. If you want help selecting energy-efficient heat pumps in Madera, call the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today!

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Air Conditioning Upgrades That Help with Energy Efficiency

Thursday, July 31st, 2014

Achieving better energy efficiency in your home is one of the best ways to alleviate high utility bills and reduce the strain on your household appliances. Since a large amount of your electrical budget during the summer goes toward operating your air conditioning system, it is important to focus on ways that you can maximize its efficiency.

One way to increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning is to invest in upgrades that will make the system draw less power but without sacrificing your comfort.

Here are a few suggestions from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for upgrades that can lower the energy your air conditioner uses while working its best to keep you cool.

An Upgraded Thermostat

Thermostats have a larger effect on AC efficiency than you probably realize. Older manual thermostat models are often imprecise and inaccurate, that means you will often set them to energy-draining temperatures without realizing it. The current crop of digital programmable thermostats not only increase precision, but they allow you to control the AC when you are not at home. You no longer have to waste power running the air conditioner all day so you can come home in the afternoon to a cool house: instead, you program the AC to turn on a half-hour before you come back.

A Replacement Condensing Unit

If your AC seems to be losing more and more efficiency with the years, you can have the outdoor condensing unit replaced with a new one, instead of replacing the entire air conditioning system. The new condenser will restore the efficiency of the system, and may even make it better than before.

Install a Zone Control System

This upgrade is done to your ventilation system. Technicians fit dampers inside the ductwork that control the flow of air to different parts (“zones”) of the house, and then connect the dampers to individual thermostats. This allows you to shut off cooling to parts of the house that do not require it, such as empty guest rooms. With zone control, you no longer have to expend power cooling down the whole home when only a few locations need it.

Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning and talk to one of our NATE-certified and EPA-certified technicians for more ideas on how you can increase the energy savings from your AC. We have served Fresno with air conditioning services since 1952, and we can help you get the most from cooling system.

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Can I Do Maintenance During the Summer?

Friday, July 25th, 2014

Many homeowners seek air conditioning maintenance at some time around the beginning of spring. Air conditioning maintenance is a valuable service that can improve the performance, efficiency and overall well-being of your air conditioning system. This makes spring seem like the ideal time to schedule service as you can protect your AC for the rest of the cooling season.

However, summer can also be the perfect time to call for air conditioning maintenance. In the summertime in Fresno, your air conditioner is at a high risk of sudden failure, which may be prevented with a maintenance visit. There’s still plenty of time left in the season, so here are a few of the reasons you should schedule air conditioning maintenance today!

Reduce the Chances of Future Repairs

During the summer, your air conditioner runs for long periods of time and works very hard to keep you cool. This may mean, however, that your system begins to develop wear and tear which may seriously damage your system. If your air conditioner receives regular maintenance, you may be able to catch repair needs early on to prevent further damage to your system. During maintenance, a technician performs a full inspection of your AC. If any damaged part of your air conditioning system threatens its well-being, your technician will let you know so that you can schedule repairs early on.

Improve Performance

Air conditioning maintenance also improves the performance of your air conditioner. Low refrigerant levels, dirty parts, or a frozen evaporator coil may all affect the cooling ability of your air conditioner. With maintenance, a technician checks refrigerant levels and cleans the coils so that your AC will continue to cool your home as it should.

Restore Efficiency

When your AC has to work harder due to dirt and debris, a frozen coil, low refrigerant levels, or damage to the system, efficiency often suffers. Air conditioners that receive regular maintenance often maintain a high percentage of efficiency over time, so your bills are likely to be lower than they were before maintenance.

To schedule certified maintenance for your air conditioning in Fresno, call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today!

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How to Save Money on Air Conditioning During a Heat Wave

Friday, July 11th, 2014

When the summer heat strikes in Fresno, it can slam down on us like an anvil. You need a sturdy and reliable air conditioning system to help you through the long heat. And just as important, you need to have a reliable HVAC service company to help with maintenance and repairs to make sure your AC keeps you cool all the way through the summer.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley since 1952, we have the experience necessary to help you get the most efficient and effective cooling from your air conditioning system.

Of course, keeping the air conditioner working during the heaviest heat can be costly. However, there are ways to keep those costs under control; here are some tips for how to save money during the summer heat waves.

Don’t overwork the AC

It’s tempting to pull the thermostat down to its lowest possible setting when the heat soars. However, this is not only expensive (it keeps the compressor running almost constantly) but it will put tremendous stress on the components that risks a breakdown. You should not set your thermostat lower than 72°F, which is a comfortable temperature that will keep your bills in check and your AC from overworking.

Shut off all non-essential heat-producing appliances

One of the best ways to reduce air conditioning use during heat waves is to lower the amount of heat your air conditioner must combat. If you shut off appliances that generate extra heat during the day time, you can often reduce your air conditioner use by 10% or more. Avoid cooking during the day with stoves and ovens. Do not use indoor laundry facilities. If possible, avoid taking daytime showers, which produce high levels of moisture that makes the heat feel worse.

Schedule maintenance for your air conditioning

This is planning ahead: you should always have a maintenance visit from an HVAC technician once a year to make sure that your air conditioning system is working at its best and provide necessary adjustments, tunings, and cleanings. This will not only make sure that your air conditioner is not costing you extra money to run, but it will also catch potential repair issues that might turn into major repair problems during the stresses of a heat wave. Maintenance is the best preparation you can have for a long summer.

Get started saving money and preparing for the heaviest heat the summer can offer with a call to Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Sign up for our Ultimate Service Agreement, which includes two seasonal tune-ups for your air conditioner and your heater from NATE-certified technicians, plus preferred customer states and discounts on repairs and upgrades. We are here to help you save money on air conditioning in Fresno, CA all year long.

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Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters

Friday, June 27th, 2014

air filters, old and newEvery air conditioner has an air filer, deigned to catch particles of dirt and dust and keep them from moving through the system. Air filters need to be changed periodically (though some models have reusable filters that can be washed instead of being replaced) or else they can cause a considerable number of problems. Here in Fresno, air conditioning services can usually treat the problems cause by dirty air filters, but the more you know about the issue, the better you can prevent such problems from starting in the first place. Call us today if you need your air filter replaced in Fresno.

Dirty air filters tend to clog the flow of air through the system, which means your air conditioner needs to work harder in order to do its job. Not only does this increase strain on the entire system (raising the risk of repairs), but it forces your AC unit to expend more energy, which results in higher monthly bills. In addition, the excess dirt blown through the system will spread throughout your household via the air ducts. If you have sensitive family members, such as the elderly or those suffering from asthma, this can constitute a health risk, and even in healthier family members, the excess dust can result in a scratchy, irritated throat and lungs.

On top of that, the excess dust can coat the inside components of your air conditioning system itself. This can create friction in moving parts, increasing the overall wear and tear and raising the chances of a more serious breakdown in the future. It can also create ice on the evaporator coils, clog lines and other key components, and cause no end of slow, long-term damage over time.

You can reduce the risk of problems caused by dirty air filters by having them changed regularly, ideally as part of a larger maintenance session from the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We have the skills you need to do the job right, and we can help you stop a number of issues before they start.

Here in Fresno, air conditioning systems are an absolute necessity during the heat of summer. Give us a call today and let us make sure it’s ready when you need it!

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3 Air Conditioning Problems You May Encounter This Summer

Friday, June 20th, 2014

One of the last things you want to happen during a hot summer day in the Central Valley is for your air conditioner to shut down. Emergency service will get to you as soon as possible, but that still means a few uncomfortable hours without cooling. The best way to avoid this problem is to make sure that your AC receives its regular maintenance and that you call for repairs for smaller issues the moment you detect them.

Here are three air conditioning issues you may encounter during the summer that must be looked at and fixed right away before they grow worse and jeopardize your home’s cooling. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is on-call 7 days a week to handle your requirements for air conditioning repair in Fresno, CA. You can trust in our over 60 years of experience for whatever work you need done.

Take care of these 3 air conditioning problems right away

  1. Hard starting: This describes when your AC has difficulty coming on or switching into cooling mode. You’ll hear the system stutter and struggle to turn on, and often shut down soon afterwards. This is often because of trouble with the motors or the capacitors. If this continues, it can cause severe damage to the compressor, and it will place stress on other components and drain excess power. Technicians can replace the parts causing the hard starting or install a “hard-start kit” to overcome the issue.
  2. Icing along the coil: Your air conditioner blows out cold air, but it should never develop ice anywhere on it. If you notice ice growing along the indoor coil of your AC, you have a serious problem somewhere in the system. It could be a clogged air filter, a loss of refrigerant, or a build-up of grime along the coil. You can’t solve this problem by scraping the ice off the coil (and you might damage the coil in the process): call for professional repairs.
  3. Fan damage: The outdoor fan can sometimes sustain damage from debris entering the cabinet. (Make sure to keep the area around the condenser clear for at least a foot to reduce the chance of this occurring.) If the fan blades become bent because of debris, they will start to strike the fan casing, causing additional damage. When you hear any sort of loud striking sound from the condenser, call for repairs right away.

If you haven’t had a maintenance visit for your air conditioner yet this year, make sure you take care of that as soon as you can. Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to sign up for our Ultimate Savings Agreement, which will deliver you two tune-ups a year and provide you with preferred customer status and discounts on repairs and upgrades. Maintenance will help keep your needs for air conditioning repair in Fresno, CA to a minimum.

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What Happens When Your AC Condenser Needs Repairs

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

The AC condenser array is the component that starts the air conditioning cycle: applying heat and pressure to the refrigerant gas before releasing it into the compression coils where it reverts to a liquid state. (The evaporator coils return it to a gaseous state, which cools the nearby air and completes the air conditioning process.) When your AC condenser runs into problems, it can cut off power to your entire system, as well as reducing its cooling potential and similar dire issues. Here in Fresno, air conditioning repair companies can usually correct the issue with due speed.

Here’s A Brief Outline of What Happens When Your AC Condenser Needs Repairs

In some cases, the problem is electrical in nature. Either the circuits and wires providing power to the motor have gone bad or some component in the condenser motor itself has been damaged. In these cases, the air conditioner won’t start up at all. This is a valuable safety feature since it prevents further damage to the unit. However, you’ll have to get the electrical problem fixed before you can run the system again.

Another problem can occur if the condenser becomes excessively dirty, or the vent to the condenser unit is blocked. In some cases, this will result in the condenser working inefficiently. The AC unit won’t cool the air properly, and your system will have to work much harder in order to do its job. Alternately, the dirty condenser may result in rapid cycling, or turning the unit on and off very rapidly. Air conditioners use far more energy turning on and off than they do just running, so the conditioning needs to be addressed quickly.

Regardless of what happens when your AC condenser needs repairs, you’ll probably notice the effect fairly readily. When you do, you need to contract the professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Air conditioning systems need to perform at their peak during the hot summer months. We have the skills and experience to handle most any problem, so give us a call today to schedule air conditioning repair service in the Fresno area. You’ll be glad you did!

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3 Ways to Lower the Risk of Air Conditioning Repair

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

With summer on the way, you’re going to need your air conditioning system to perform at its best day in and day out. Repairs can be miserable when they take place in the middle of a heat wave, and while emergency repair services are sometimes available, no one wants to take that chance. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning in Fresno is always on the job, but rather than waiting for a point in which you need them, consider the methods you can use to prevent that call in the first place.

Here Are 3 Ways to Lower the Risk of Air Conditioning Repairs

  • A/C Maintenance. Routine maintenance services are designed to clean the dust off of internal components, as well as recharging refrigerant and performing other small tune-ups. As a result, your air conditioner suffers less strain and doesn’t need to work as hard to do its job. Not only does that lower the risk of repairs, but it can save you money on monthly bills to boot. (Above and beyond professional maintenance, make sure you change your air filter regularly and ensure that it doesn’t get too dirty.)
  • Upgrades. Minor upgrades like zone control systems and programmable thermostats are a worthwhile investment for the same reason that a maintenance session is. Zone control systems let you shut off the air to parts of the house you aren’t using. New thermostats provide remote options that let you turn off the air when you aren’t at home. Both features reduce the strain on your system, leading to less of a chance of repairs as well as lowering monthly bills.
  • Home improvements. You can take steps around your home to help the air conditioner perform more effectively. For example, see about adding more insulation to your roof and sealing cracks around the doors and windows with weather stripping. They will help you home retain cool air better and reduce the stress on your air conditioning system.

For more ways to lower the risk of air conditioning repairs, or to schedule a repair session for your home, contact the pros at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repairs in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley, so give us a call today!

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3 Improvements Offered by a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

No one likes to think of their air conditioners as needing replacement. They’re an expensive item, after all, and ideally your existing air conditioner will last you for many years. Sooner or later, however, every appliance needs to be replaced, and if your existing air conditioner is more than ten years old, you should consider upgrading it with a newer model. Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation is a fairly routine operation for most qualified services, and a trained technician can go over all your options with you before performing the installation. Here are 3 improvements offered by a new air conditioner that you should seriously consider.

  • Improved efficiency. Air conditioning efficiency is measured by a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. Because your new air conditioner is likely more recent, it takes advantage of new technology and has no wear and tear on it. That means it will be more efficient than your old system, and cost you much less in monthly bills to boot.
  • Fewer repairs. New systems usually feature a warranty, which means that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong. That can be a considerable relief when your older system has suffered from significant breakdowns and other problems.
  • Zone controls. A zone control system can be installed as part of the new system. It connects a series of valves and switches in the duct system, allowing you to control the individual temperature in each room. You can even shut off the air conditioning in parts of the house you aren’t using, helping you to save more on monthly bills than ever before.

The experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can talk about the improvements offered by a new air conditioner, as well as inspecting your house for a proper sized unit and discussing your other options with you.

Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation services don’t come any more reliable. We’re ready to serve you, so give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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