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

What Causes Refrigerant Leaks in an Air Conditioning System?

Tuesday, August 11th, 2015

One of the more common repair problems that an air conditioning system might encounter is refrigerant leaks. The refrigerant in an AC, as we’ve discussed before, does not dissipate during operation. The air conditioner should use the same amount of refrigerant (referred to as its charge) for its entire service life. The exception is when leaks start. When an air conditioning system loses refrigerant through leaks, it will result in frozen coils, a drop in cooling power, and possibly a burnt-out compressor.

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Why Is My Air Conditioning System Running Constantly?

Monday, July 20th, 2015

When your home’s air conditioning system won’t turn on, you know you have a problem. But the opposite condition can also occur: an air conditioning system that keeps running continuously no matter how you adjust the thermostat. Why does this happen? We’ll take a closer look at some of the reasons and what you should do about it.

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How You Can Benefit from a Wi-Fi Thermostat in Your Home

Monday, July 13th, 2015

Thermostat technology has come a long way since the days of the dial-and-slider manual thermostats. Today homeowners have an option to install digital, digital programmable, and “smart” thermostats. These thermostats come with features that not only make operating them more convenient and precise, but also permit greater energy savings from the home’s HVAC system.

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The Difference Quality Professional Installation and Replacement Makes for Air Conditioning Systems

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

We understand that many homeowners are looking for ways to save money when it comes to home improvements. But one area where you should never attempt to cut corners is the installation of an air conditioning system, either as the first unit of a new home or as a replacement for an older unit. There is an enormous difference in the quality of work you’ll receive when you rely on experienced HVAC professionals instead of going with amateurs who make big promises for suspiciously low prices.

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What Capacitors Do in an Air Conditioning System

Monday, June 29th, 2015

The modern air conditioning system is a complex piece of refrigeration equipment. It relies on numerous precision parts in order to operate correctly. One of the key components inside an AC is the capacitor, which forms part of the electrical system that provides power to the air conditioner. Each AC contains a number of capacitors that serve various motors. At times, capacitors may fail and require an HVAC technician to replace them in order to restore the system to full operation.

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3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Getting Your Home as Cool as It Used To

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

It’s summer here in Fresno, CA, and that means air conditioning systems all across the city are working to keep homes pleasantly cooled down. But have you noticed that your house no longer feels as cool as it should? Have you discovered hot spots in some of the rooms? Do you need to keep the AC running longer and longer in order to reach the right comfort level during a hot day? Then there is probably a malfunction in your HVAC system that is impairing your air conditioner’s ability to work properly. The best course is to call an experienced HVAC technician to come to your home, discover what is wrong with the air conditioner, and repair it.

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3 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioning Is Short-Cycling

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

The term short-cycling refers to when the compressor of an air conditioning system turns on and off rapidly, never getting a chance to complete its full cooling cycle. A short-cycling air conditioner is a serious problem for a number of reasons: The extra stress placed on the components will lead to multiple repair needs. The strain can cause the compressor to break down, which often requires that the whole system be replaced. And because air conditioners draw the most power when the compressor starts up, a short-cycling AC will create a large increase in electrical bills.

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An Oversized Air Conditioner: Why This Is a Problem

Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

When you need a central air conditioning system installed, whether for a new home or to replace an older system, you must call professionals to handle the work. This is not only to ensure that the new air conditioning system is put in correctly so that it works at maximum efficiency and effectiveness. It is also to make sure that the right system is put in. An error in sizing a central air conditioner (i.e. determining how powerful an AC is necessary for a specific home) will lead to multiple problems for both comfort and energy efficiency. In most cases, an improperly sized air conditioning system must be replaced.

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What the Condensing Unit Does in a Central Air Conditioning System

Monday, May 18th, 2015

The standard central air conditioning system found in homes is a split system: it consists of two units housed in different locations that are connected through power and refrigerant lines. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil and the air handler that sends cooled air into the ductwork and then to the rooms. The outdoor unit is called the condenser.

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3 Common Misunderstandings about Air Conditioning Systems

Monday, May 11th, 2015

Air conditioning systems are such a standard part of life during the summer—especially in a place that grows as hot as the Central Valley—that it’s easy to take them for granted. This is one of the reasons that there are so many myths and misunderstandings about air conditioners that continue to spread. Below are three common ones we wish to dispel:

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