A/C Designs of St. Augustine, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Repair’

Call for Air Conditioning Repair if You Hear These Sounds

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Like a lot of cities in the area, Jacksonville, FL, relies on air conditioning units to survive the summer heat. When you need to call for air conditioning repair, you don’t want to dawdle, lest you’re left without options when the next heat wave arrives. One good indicator of a problem with you air conditioning system is an unusual noise or sound when you turn it on. Generally speaking, you should contact a qualified service technician if you hear any kind of sound coming from your air conditioner that departs from the norm. More specifically, you should call for air conditioning repair if you hear any of the following sounds:

  • Hisses: Caused by a possible leak in one of the lines, or possibly a faulty air compressor.
  • Buzzes: Caused by a bent fan blade, twigs or similar detritus in the vents or a malfunctioning motor.
  • Rattling: Caused by loose hardware in the system, an improperly secured component or a motor that is malfunctioning.
  • Bubbling: Caused by leaking refrigerant or possibly problems with the condensate drain line.
  • Electrical noises, such as humming or buzzing: Caused by loose or frayed wiring or problems with the electrical contacts.
  • Squeals or screaming: Caused by problems with the fan belt or the heat pump compressor.
  • Whistling: Cause by air leaks, most likely in the ducts themselves.

Regardless of the precise sound, it takes a trained professional to resolve it. As the list above indicates, the potential issue could be one of many things. A qualified professional can use the noise as a clue to the exact problem, then track it down and implement an appropriate solution. In the heat and humidity typical of Jacksonville, FL, air conditioning repair services need to implement those solutions quickly. That’s where the experts at AC Designs Inc. come in. Our experienced service techs can handle a wide variety of issues, and we are dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Call us today to set up a service call.

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Air Conditioning Repair Tip 3: Electrical Connections and Your AC

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

An air conditioning system depends on electricity to run, just like most modern appliances. When it malfunctions, you need to contact quality professional service to get it repaired safely. This is especially the case in cities like Jacksonville, FL, which experience high heat and humidity in the summertime. You can’t afford to go without air conditioning in the midst of those muggy days. Faulty electrical connections may lie at the heart of any existing problems.

In some cases, the electrical problem lies outside of the air conditioning unit itself: because of frayed wiring in your home, an excess of electrical units running through the same outlet, or the like. In the event of an overload, the circuit breakers will trip, cutting off power to your system. You can reset the breakers, but if the underlying problem isn’t addressed, the same thing will happen again.

A similar phenomenon may take place if one of the components in your air conditioning system is malfunctioning.  The compressor motor and similar elements often come equipped with automatic shut-off switches, which trigger during an overload or similar situation and shut the component off. This happens to prevent any further damage to the system. If your air conditioning unit refuses to turn on and the circuit breaker hasn’t been tripped, this could be the source of the problem.

Then there’s the situation whereby your air conditioning system stutters when it starts up or makes a lot of noise. The electrical current may be on, but the voltage is low, which may be causing the problem.

Whatever the source, you should contact a qualified service professional to ascertain the problem. They can isolate the bad connection and take appropriate action, or spot the offending piece of equipment in the AC unit itself and recommend a course of action. The service techs at AC Designs Inc. can help you. We offer AC repair in Jacksonville, FL and throughout the surrounding communities, and possess the expertise to diagnose your electrical connection problem before implementing a proper solution. We offer 24-hour emergency service, so you don’t have to sweat it out when your air conditioning system goes down. Call us today to make an appointment!

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Don’t Put Off Air Conditioning Repair!

Monday, August 5th, 2013

In Jacksonville, FL, air conditioning repair needs to come sooner rather than later. Our hot summers and high levels of humidity make a non-functioning air conditioner more than just a nuisance. Beyond the immediate discomfort of a broken air conditioning, there are several good reasons no to put off a repair call. The sooner you address the issue, the better.

The first and most obvious reason comes with heat waves. We never can tell when an AC system will break down, but if you delay getting it fixed, you’re apt to be caught flat-footed when the temperatures outside start to spike. Better to address the issue when the mercury is comparatively low than scramble to get it fixed in the face of an approaching heat wave (or worse, endure the heat wave without it).

You might also consider the possibility of larger bills in the future. A malfunctioning air conditioning may still be able to work, but every time you turn it on with a broken component, you run the risk of causing further damage. A service call from a trained professional can spot any additional areas in need of repair, as well as suggesting a maintenance schedule to avoid any similar issues in the future.

This is doubly true if the air conditioning trouble arrives late in the season as the weather cools off. You may breathe a sigh of relief and put the issue out of your head until the summer starts up again. That could be a costly mistake, as rains, cold weather and an “out of sight, out of mind” approach make the issue worse. Instead of facing one or two issues, you may end up facing a whole host of them, requiring more time and money to make repairs.

AC Designs Inc. specializes in air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL, and can address your repair issues before they get out of hand. Call us today. One of our expert technicians will come to your home and diagnose and repair the problem.  

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Signs of AC Compressor Problems

Monday, July 22nd, 2013

Here at AC Designs Inc., we often get called to repair air conditioners, and the compressor is one of the most common components to break down. Here is a quick explanation of what it does and some of the things that can go wrong with it. In some cases, the compressor can’t be replaced, which means that you might need to install a new air conditioning system.

What Does the Compressor Do?

If you’ve ever used one of those cans of compressed air to clean your computer, you likely noticed that the outside of the can gets very cold. This is because the remaining air inside the can has to expand in order to fill the space left by the air that got released. This expansion absorbs heat from the space around it. The energy that it absorbs is heat thus making the surface of the can cold.

Your air conditioning system operates under a similar set of principles. Instead of compressed air, though, it uses a compressed refrigerant. The refrigerant gets compressed by the compressor, and then the expansion valve changes the pressure of the refrigerant, causing it to evaporate in the evaporator coils. The coils get cold and the fan in your AC unit blows the warm air of your home across them in order to cool the air.

Signs of Compressor Problems

There are a few signs that indicate that you need air conditioning repair for the compressor.

  • Not enough cooling – If your compressor isn’t compressing the refrigerant enough, it will result in a lack of cool air coming from your AC. The more the compressor can compress the refrigerant, the more cooling your AC can deliver. But the opposite is true: if you compressor can’t compress the refrigerant, then it won’t be able to cool your home.
  • Strange noises – Your compressor uses a motor in order to compress the refrigerant. This motor can start to make some unusual noises when it begins to break down. If you hear banging, clanking it could be the piston, crankshaft or some other internal part. Hissing can be caused by a leak in the motor or the compressor. Buzzing can indicate a loose wire or fitting.

When you need repairs or air conditioning repair or installation in Jacksonville, FL,  make sure that you call the experts at AC Designs Inc..

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Damaged Ductwork and Air Conditioning Repair

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

If you have a traditional central air conditioning system in your home, then you have a series of ducts that carry the cool air throughout your home. If these ducts have holes, leaks, clogs or pinches in them then it could mean that you have some serious issues with your system. Below are some common problems with this often overlooked component of your air conditioning system:

  • Leaks – If your ducts are leaking air out, then it means that your home’s comfort and efficiency could be suffering. Duct leaks can allow a huge amount of air to leak outside which is not only wasteful, but it will also likely leave your home less comfortable.
  • Duct clogs – Over time, dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate in your ducts. This can have an impact on your home’s air quality because those contaminants will likely get pick up and carried throughout your home. Also, clogs in your ducts can greatly reduce the efficiency of your home’s air conditioning system.
  • Pinches – If your ducts weren’t installed properly  there could be unnecessary turns or pinches in them—especially if you have flexible ductwork.
  • Noises –If you hear strange noises coming from your ductwork when you turn on your air conditioning system it could mean that they have holes and leaks in them. It could also mean that they are coming loose from the braces that secure the ducts to your home.

Why Get Duct Sealing and Duct Repair

Getting your ducts sealed can have a huge positive impact on your home’s air quality, comfort and efficiency. Any leaks or holes in your ducts will allow a lot of cool air to just leak outside. Your air conditioning system will have to work extra hard to replace that lost air and still keep your home comfortable. Those holes can also allow outside contaminants like pollen and bacteria to get into your home’s air supply.

Give the professionals at AC Designs Inc. a call today if you need air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL.

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How an Improper Refrigerant Charge Affects Your Air Conditioning System

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

There are a lot of ways that a poor air conditioning installation can affect the performance of your system. Bad duct design or installation, improper placement of thermostats and a plethora of other problems may converge to reduce the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability with which your system operates. An improper refrigerant charge, though, is one of the most troublesome. If your air conditioning system is not installed with the proper refrigerant charge, you can expect a number of different problems to develop. Here are a few examples of how an improper refrigerant charge can affect your air conditioning system.

If you experience problems with the coils of your air conditioning system icing over, a low refrigerant charge may be to blame. When your coils ice over your air conditioner is not able to cool your home properly, and forcing your system to operate under such conditions will only lead to more serious problems. Any signs of icing should be addressed by a qualified air conditioning repair technician.

You may also notice that your air conditioning system is overheating, reaching internal temperatures that trigger it to shut down. Again, this issue can lead to further, more complex problems and cannot be ignored. When your system overheats, it can actually be the result of low or high refrigerant levels. This means that an improper charge at the time of installation or a refrigerant leak could be to blame. Refrigerant may also be lost during unrelated AC services, so make sure that your technician is measuring the refrigerant for a proper charge prior to putting your system back into use. Refrigerant leaks can also have a negative impact on the environment.

The refrigerant in your air conditioning system plays a vital role in its operation. To learn more about the negative impacts that an improper refrigerant charge can have on your AC, contact AC Designs, Inc. We can answer any questions you may have, and our Jacksonville, FL air conditioning technicians can resolve any problems your air conditioning system may develop.

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Underlying Causes of Frequent Air Conditioning Repairs

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013

With all the use that your air conditioning system gets throughout the year, you could run into some very common problems. For all your air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL, make sure that you work with the professionals at AC Designs Inc. We offer fast, reliable and quality AC repair for all different kinds of systems. Here are some of the things we see that lead to AC problems:

  • Dirty Coils – both your evaporator and condenser coils need to be clean in order to either cool your home’s air or to dissipate heat into the outside air. Dirty coils can lead to less effective cooling, which causes your whole AC system to work hard and can lead to over-heating. Be especially careful of your condenser coils, which can get clogged with grass and other debris.
  • Dirty Air Filter – Another very common cause of air conditioning problems a clogged air filter. Your AC’s air filter is there to keep dust and debris from building up inside the system. If the filter gets clogged it will restrict the flow of air through the system. This will cause your air conditioning system to have to work harder to pull air through the unit. Not only does this reduce efficiency,  but it will also cause more wear and tear on your AC unit and could lead a frozen evaporator coil.
  • Lack of maintenance – Probably the most common cause of a Ac problems is just a lack of attention and maintenance. All the use that your air conditioning system gets throughout the year can cause it to develop small problems and issues. If those things aren’t dealt with early then they can grow into major issues.

When you need air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL, just call the friendly experts at AC Designs Inc..

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How to Minimize Air Conditioning Repairs

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

The summer heat can get pretty intense here in Jacksonville, FL. You need to know that your air conditioning system will be there for you when you need it most. Of course, even the best air conditioning systems on the market are still susceptible to damages. That is why you must work with a qualified Jacksonville, FL air conditioning repair technician the moment you suspect a problem with your air conditioner. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you keep your air conditioning repair needs to a minimum. Call AC Designs today with any questions you may have. We are happy to help you get the best performance possible from your air conditioner.

One of the best ways to minimize your air conditioning repair needs is also one of the simplest. By changing the air filter in your air conditioning system regularly, you can help it to work more efficiently and prevent excessive wear and tear that can lead to system damages. As your AC operates, dirt and debris collect in your air filter. This is an important function, as it helps to prevent these pollutants from disrupting the operation of your system. However, if you do not change your air filter it can create a lot of airflow resistance for your AC. This added strain can cause your air conditioner to suffer damages that could be easily avoided.

The most effective way to keep your air conditioning operating properly is to schedule routine air conditioning maintenance service with a qualified professional. When you have your system professionally tuned up and maintained by a qualified technician, you can be sure that every component of your system is in great operating condition. This means that there will be less strain on your air conditioning system and less risk of damage.

For more information about how to keep your Jacksonville, FL air conditioning repair needs to a minimum, call AC Designs. We can answer any questions that you may have about how to get the best, most reliable performance possible from your air conditioner. Call now to speak with a professional AC technician on our team.

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