Homeowners struggle with knowing the right time to replace their air conditioner. The general rule of thumb is that an air conditioner over the age of ten should be retired soon, but an air conditioner that’s been well maintained could last closer to fifteen years. The cost of a new unit deters potential buyers from full commitment to purchasing a new unit. However, if you’re having troubles with your old unit, you should take the plunge. Running an old unit costs more than you might realize. Our crew at MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. is a top HVAC company in Essex County, NJ committed to the providing you the best service possible.
MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
When Is It Appropriate to Replace an Air Conditioner?
Monday, August 27th, 2018Outdoor AC Unit Problems
Monday, August 13th, 2018
For a central air conditioning system, it’s standard that one unit remains outdoors, and the other one remains indoors. The outdoor unit is crucial for dispelling the warm air absorbed by the indoor unit. Yet, the outdoor unit is the one that’s forced to withstand all the elements. The outdoor unit has to endure extreme weather, dirt, animals, and more.
Meanwhile, the indoor AC unit is nice and cozy inside the home. It’s not fair, but that’s just the way it is.
At the very least, we can warn you about some of the potential problems that an outdoor AC unit can encounter.
Do You Need Central AC Repair?
Monday, May 21st, 2018
We can all agree on one thing – nobody likes living in a stuffy, uncomfortable house.
Just like every other system in your house, your central AC needs maintenance on a regular basis. Unlike others, though, central AC and HVAC units have a life cycle and past a certain age, they’re going to need to be replaced.
Replacement of a central AC system isn’t cheap, but if it’s not performing up to expectations (rather than not running at all) there’s a good chance it just needs maintenance or repair rather than replacement.
Let’s look at a few signs that you might need central AC repair or maintenance.
Consider the Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning
Monday, May 7th, 2018
Summer is on the way and chances are you’ve already needed to run your air conditioner more than once this year. If you need a new system installed, now is the time to do so. It allows you to take full advantage of your new system by the time the summer begins in earnest: lowering those monthly bills and easing your mind when it comes to the possibility of a breakdown.
End of the Season Air Conditioning Repair Tips
Monday, September 25th, 2017
How many times have you completed a project at the last minute only to suffer some unforeseen consequences? Hopefully, you’ve learned that completing a big project at the last minute is rarely a good idea, nor is waiting too long to service your car or fix a leaky roof. Still, we understand the urge to wait to repair your air conditioning system, especially when the warmer weather comes to a close and you don’t really need the AC for much longer, if at all.
However, your air conditioner could probably use a little care at the end of the summer and beginning of fall, and you’ll thank yourself when the warmer weather comes around next year. Here are some things you can do to keep your central air conditioner in good shape.
How to Prevent Air Conditioning Repair
Monday, August 14th, 2017
It’s hard to say why air conditioners break when they do. Your air conditioning system may be working just fine one day but refuse to start up the next. On the other hand, air conditioners may wear out slowly, with noticeably reduced performance that one day leads to a not-entirely-unexpected system breakdown.
While technicians cannot tell you exactly when an air conditioner will break, they can help you to take the necessary steps to prevent the air conditioner from breaking in the first place. They can detect that a part of your air conditioner is failing so that you can replace or repair it before you ever have to worry about a system breakdown. And that all starts with a tune-up.
What Can You Do Right Away When the Air Conditioner Breaks Down?
Monday, July 17th, 2017
As air conditioning technicians, we always advise you to leave major AC repairs to a professional in your service area. Still, when your air conditioner breaks down completely, we have some advice to add on that may keep you cool while you wait—or that might fix the problem entirely (without the help of a technician).
When your air conditioner won’t turn on, there are some things you should check before calling a technician. Otherwise, there are also things you can do to stay cool while you wait. We’ve got some expert advice below, but call in our team when you do need same-day service from people who know their stuff.
Could Your Air Conditioner Just Need More Refrigerant?
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
A question we get a lot when we show up for AC repair is, “Does it just need more Freon?” This is something homeowners hope for, likely because they’ve heard it’s an easy solution. After all, when a car’s air conditioner stops working, the technician might say they can just recharge the refrigerant.
However, this might not be the case. First of all, your air conditioner has a lot of electrical and mechanical components and any one of them could be responsible for your cooling breakdown. Issues can also get worse over time, which is why it’s so important to call in technicians as soon as possible after an AC breakdown. In addition, a refrigerant leak is not something to be treated as normal.
What You Should Know about Air Conditioner Sizing
Monday, June 19th, 2017
Most people think about air conditioning sizing much in the same way they would think about picking out a new computer or smartphone. If you have the funds, you’re likely going to pick the one with the largest amount of memory or storage. The bigger the memory, the better. However, this is not often the case in picking out a new central AC unit, where the correct size is determined by the unit’s cooling capacity, measured in BTU per hour.
What size AC unit do I need for AC installation?
- Start with your home’s square footage.
- Account for shade and sun exposure around the house.
- Check insulation levels and air leaks.
- Consider window size and placement.
- Factor in ceiling height and layout.
- Have an HVAC pro perform a load calculation to confirm the right tonnage and avoid oversizing or undersizing.
When considering ac installation, it’s important to choose the right brand for your air conditioning unit, as professionals are familiar with major brands like Midea, Frigidaire, and LG, which helps ensure proper installation and long-term reliability. Proper sizing and installation processes lead to optimal system performance, efficiency, and longevity. A larger air conditioner won’t necessarily be better, as we’ll describe in the guide below. For more information, be sure to contact a local HVAC technician, and definitely do so before installing a new air conditioner. Professional contractors offer a range of services, including installation, repair, and maintenance, and you can request certificates of insurance or other documentation for added transparency. For more information, be sure to contact a local HVAC technician to schedule a service appointment or consultation for an on-site estimate, and definitely do so before installing a new air conditioner. It’s so important to get one that is the right size for your home! For official guidelines and permit requirements, visit the Department of Buildings (DOB) website, as the department is responsible for overseeing AC installation and issuing necessary permits. If you are shifting from an old or inefficient unit, upgrading to a modern system can lead to better performance and energy efficiency.
5 Ways to Make Your Air Conditioner Work Better
Monday, June 5th, 2017We’re grateful that the widespread use of central air conditioning means summers spent at home are not only bearable, but actually quite comfortable. That is, unless an air conditioner just doesn’t work the way you expect it to.
Your air conditioner might not be running up to your standards just yet. Perhaps it doesn’t reach the temperature setting on the thermostat fast enough, or maybe it’s costing you way too much to run each month. But there may be something you can do to make your air conditioner work better than it is right now! Follow our experts’ advice, and call our team to schedule an appointment for AC service today.