Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

What Qualifies as an Air Conditioning Emergency?

Monday, August 17th, 2015

There are a myriad of different problems that can afflict an air conditioning system. Some of them are bigger than others, but all of them should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Even so, there are a handful of problems that can destroy the system if not fixed immediately. If you notice that your air conditioner is exhibiting symptoms of one of these problems, you should turn it off and call for emergency repairs. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of these problems that you should watch for.

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How to tell if Your Air Conditioner is Leaking Refrigerant

Monday, July 13th, 2015

One of the worst possible problems that can happen to your air conditioner is a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the lifeblood of any air conditioning system, and without it the system starts to suffer. Low refrigerant can cause all sorts of problems, up to and including breakdowns. With this in mind, you should keep a close eye out for various signs that your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant. If you do spot any of these signs, call a professional to look at it as soon as possible.

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Keep Your Cool with these Energy-Saving Tips

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Here in Gainesville, FL, our air conditioners operate at full blast all cooling season long. How else are we supposed to stay cool? While we don’t encourage anyone to go without cooling for too long considering the power of the sun and the high moisture content looming in the air, you may want to reduce your energy costs. We all know how expensive cooling can be, and we want you to find a happy balance between comfort and efficiency. Here are some ways to keep cool as we enter the hottest part of the year.

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Why Your Air Conditioner is Icing Over

Monday, June 29th, 2015

During the hot days of summer, it may seem like a good thing that your air conditioner has ice forming on it. It’s meant to be cold, right? Not really, no. Ice on your air conditioner is actually a sign that the system is malfunctioning. If not fixed soon, it could cause a whole slew of problems for your air conditioner, including a full system breakdown. Read on to find out more about why your air conditioner ices over, and what to do about it.

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Common Problems with Ductless Air Conditioning Systems

Monday, June 15th, 2015

Ductless air conditioners are becoming more and more popular, especially now that we’re moving into the summer season. As great as they are for cooling your home, though, ductless air conditioners are just as susceptible to problems as any other system. While they share many common problems with traditional air conditioners, there are a few unique ones that you need to watch out for. Let’s take a look at some of the common problems with ductless air conditioning systems.

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Why You Should Consider Installing a Zone Control System

Monday, June 1st, 2015

Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to start using your air conditioner on a daily basis. As great as central air conditioners are, though, they aren’t perfect. There are a couple of distinct disadvantages associated with using central air conditioners. First, they tend to rely on a single thermostat to control them. This means that the air conditioner is operating based on the temperature readings in only one part of the house, which means it can cool other areas of the house too little or too much. Second, it wastes energy cooling areas that are not in use. Fortunately, there is a way to address both of these disadvantages in the form of a zone control system.

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Why Spring Air Conditioning Maintenance is so Important

Monday, May 18th, 2015

Most homeowners would call for air conditioning repairs as soon as they noticed a problem with the system. That’s all well and good, but what about problems that don’t have obvious symptoms? If you’re really interested in keeping your air conditioning system in the best possible condition, it’s a good idea to schedule preventive maintenance at least once a year. Read on to find out more about the benefits of preventive maintenance, and why you should schedule yours this spring.

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How Duct Sealing Can Improve Your Air Conditioner Efficiency

Monday, April 20th, 2015

With summer almost upon us, it’s time to start making sure that your air conditioner is ready for the hottest days of the year. Annual maintenance and timely repairs are obviously both a good idea. However, there is one thing you can do to improve your air conditioner efficiency that most people never think about: duct sealing. Read on to find out more about duct sealing, and how it can help your air conditioner keep you cool this summer.

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3 Air Conditioning Problems That Require Immediate Repair

Monday, April 13th, 2015

No air conditioning problem should be left alone, once discovered. The longer a problem with your air conditioning system is allowed to continue, the worse it’s going to get. However, there’s a difference between problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible and those that need to be fixed right now. There are some problems that, if allowed to continue for any appreciable length of time, could cause catastrophic damage to the air conditioning system. The following are 3 of those problems.

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3 Ways to Evaluate Whether You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Monday, April 6th, 2015

With summer fast approaching, now is the time of year when homeowners start to get their air conditioning systems ready for the season. There comes a time with every air conditioning system, however, when maintenance and repairs simply aren’t good enough. At that time, the only thing left to do is replace your air conditioner. As this is the perfect time for new air conditioner installation, you should take a hard look at whether your current air conditioner can make it through another year. What follows are 3 ways that you can tell whether or not you need to replace your system.

Operating Cost

If you’ve kept your system in pretty good operating condition over the years, you probably have a good idea of how much it costs to operate it from month to month. If you notice that costs start to increase over the course of a few months, it might mean that your system is wearing out. The wear and tear that all systems accumulate over their lifetimes will eventually cause yours to steadily decrease in efficiency. That forces it to operate for longer to achieve the same results, which costs you more money.

Repairs

Another good way to tell whether or not you need to replace your air conditioner is to keep track of how often it requires repairs. Normally, you shouldn’t need to have your system repaired more than once or twice a year. Older systems have many more worn out parts, however, which are liable to fail much more often. If you have to have your air conditioner repaired every few months, it’s a good sign that it is ready to be replaced.

Age

The average lifespan for an air conditioner is between 15 and 20 years. It is possible for an air conditioner to operate well past that point, but oftentimes the problems that begin to occur at that age are enough to warrant a new system. If your air conditioner is older than 15 years, you might want to consult a professional about replacing it.

If you think it may be time for a new air conditioner, call touchstone Heating & Air, Inc. We provide air conditioner installation services throughout Gainesville, FL.  

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