Summer is coming to an end, although we can still expect some lingering heat through the early autumn. The air conditioning system in your home has probably spent most of this last season working hard, and all that stress and wear could possibly cause the system to break down. During these final weeks of hot weather, make sure that you pay close attention to some of the warning signs that your AC is having trouble. (And don’t wait to have any problems fixed in the spring! The sooner repairs are done, the less expensive they will be.)
A Few Air Conditioning Problems to Watch for at the End of the Summer
August 24th, 2015Warning: Your Air Conditioning System Is Not a Dedicated Dehumidifier
August 17th, 2015High humidity is a major problem with staying cool during the summer. Especially during the late summer. The high levels of moisture in the air make it harder for your body to release heat through sweating, and that trapped heat makes the hot temperatures feel even hotter. There isn’t much you can about this when you’re outside… but you can change it inside your home.
Signs You May Need to Replace Your Water Heater
August 10th, 2015Modern water heater manufacturers construct their products to last. But of course they cannot make them invincible: no mechanical device can endure forever, and wear and tear will eventually lead to the need to replace it. The water heater that delivers hot water to the taps and appliances in your home—from showerheads to washing machines—will at some point need a professional to remove it and put a new system in its place.
How Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leaks Start
August 3rd, 2015Among the many different problems that can occur in an air conditioning system, one of the most common (and serious) is a leak along the refrigerant lines that allows the liquid/gaseous refrigerant to escape. Refrigerant, sometimes known as “Freon,” is essential for an AC to work, and if the level should ever drop, the system will not only start to work poorly, it could suffer from a catastrophic breakdown. When refrigerant leaks happen, you need to call on professionals who will 1) locate the leaks, 2) seal them, and 3) recharge the refrigerant to its proper level.
What did I do wrong that caused these leaks?
Don’t worry: you almost certainly aren’t at fault for refrigerant leaks. The unfortunate part of this problem is that it is difficult to prevent and almost impossible, even for professionals, to notice before it starts. You must simply be vigilant about your AC’s performance and call on repair technicians immediately. Regular maintenance will also catch any leaks when they are still small.
Now, as to what causes the leaks in the first place: formaldehyde. You are probably unaware of it, but this chemical is a common pollutant in residential air, and even with excellent air purifiers it is hard to remove it entirely. Formaldehyde causes something known as formicary corrosion along copper lines, such as those in an AC, as it leaves formic acid along the surface. Although copper is resistant to most forms of corrosion, formicary corrosion is an exception. It’s almost impossible to notice along copper surfaces until it weakens the metal to the point the leaks occur.
Any AC over four years old is susceptible to this kind of corrosion, and high-efficiency air conditioners are more likely to suffer from it because they have narrower refrigerant coils to help with heat exchange. Make sure that you have quality air conditioning technicians to help you in Winnetka, IL in case your air conditioner encounters refrigerant leaks.
Malek Heating & Cooling offers 24-hour emergency air conditioning repairs in the Chicagoland area.
3 Reasons to Consider a Whole-House Generator
July 27th, 2015What do you do when you lose power? If you’re like most homeowners, you rummage around the junk drawer or garage for your trusty flashlight and set to work either finding the other flashlights (and perhaps some candles) and possibly your portable generator (hopefully you have some spare gas). But more and more homeowners are considering whole-house generators for their homes. To many, this seems like an obvious home improvement. Few things are as convenient as being able to fire up your whole-house generator to run not only your lights, but also major appliances. Here’s why you need one for your home.
Your Air Conditioner Won’t Last Forever: 3 Signs You Should Replace It
July 20th, 2015It would be wonderful if a home’s air conditioning system never needed to retire. In fact, many people treat their AC as if it will continue to perform its important function until the end of time (or until they move out of their home). But like any mechanical system that does an enormous amount of work, an air conditioner will eventual age to the point where it is too worn to effectively do its job and it must be replaced. Below are three major indications to watch for that will tell you it’s time to call HVAC professionals and arrange to have a new air conditioning system installed.
Is a Heat Pump Water Heater a Good Investment?
July 13th, 2015You have more options today for new water heater installation than you once did. The standard storage tank water heater is no longer the sole type available. You can now install tankless and hybrid water heaters. One of the more exciting developments in water heater technology is the heat pump water heater. Is one of these systems a good investment for your home?
How to Clean an Air Conditioner’s Filter
July 6th, 2015When it comes to maintaining an air conditioning system for a home, most of the work should stay in the hands of HVAC professionals. Once a year, usually in spring, arrange to have a technician come to your home and inspect the components of your AC and provide cleaning and adjustments. This will help your air conditioner work through the summer at maximum energy efficiency and minimum repair troubles.
How to Get Your Aging Air Conditioner to Work Better
June 29th, 2015A quality air conditioning system can often last for around 15 years, maybe more, while still providing the right level of cooling for a home and without wasting energy. If you have a system that is over 10 years old and you’ve noticed that it isn’t working as well as it should (problems with cooling, increased energy bills), there are some steps you can take to make it work better. Below are a few of them.
Is Your Water Heater the Cause of Your High Energy Bills?
June 22nd, 2015If you are currently experiencing a rise in your energy bills in your home for which you cannot account, the problem may rest in one of the household appliances. Two appliances to consider—at least during the summer, when the heater isn’t a possible source—are the air conditioner and the water heater. Both will put in work during the summer, and both consume large amounts of energy even under the best situations. Should either develop malfunctions or suffer from excessive wear, it can mean a leap in your bills. In this post, we are going to look at how your water heater (whether a gas-powered or electric-powered model) might end up raising your bills—and what you should do about it.