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

How to Save Money on Air Conditioning During a Heat Wave

Friday, July 11th, 2014

When the summer heat strikes in Fresno, it can slam down on us like an anvil. You need a sturdy and reliable air conditioning system to help you through the long heat. And just as important, you need to have a reliable HVAC service company to help with maintenance and repairs to make sure your AC keeps you cool all the way through the summer.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley since 1952, we have the experience necessary to help you get the most efficient and effective cooling from your air conditioning system.

Of course, keeping the air conditioner working during the heaviest heat can be costly. However, there are ways to keep those costs under control; here are some tips for how to save money during the summer heat waves.

Don’t overwork the AC

It’s tempting to pull the thermostat down to its lowest possible setting when the heat soars. However, this is not only expensive (it keeps the compressor running almost constantly) but it will put tremendous stress on the components that risks a breakdown. You should not set your thermostat lower than 72°F, which is a comfortable temperature that will keep your bills in check and your AC from overworking.

Shut off all non-essential heat-producing appliances

One of the best ways to reduce air conditioning use during heat waves is to lower the amount of heat your air conditioner must combat. If you shut off appliances that generate extra heat during the day time, you can often reduce your air conditioner use by 10% or more. Avoid cooking during the day with stoves and ovens. Do not use indoor laundry facilities. If possible, avoid taking daytime showers, which produce high levels of moisture that makes the heat feel worse.

Schedule maintenance for your air conditioning

This is planning ahead: you should always have a maintenance visit from an HVAC technician once a year to make sure that your air conditioning system is working at its best and provide necessary adjustments, tunings, and cleanings. This will not only make sure that your air conditioner is not costing you extra money to run, but it will also catch potential repair issues that might turn into major repair problems during the stresses of a heat wave. Maintenance is the best preparation you can have for a long summer.

Get started saving money and preparing for the heaviest heat the summer can offer with a call to Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Sign up for our Ultimate Service Agreement, which includes two seasonal tune-ups for your air conditioner and your heater from NATE-certified technicians, plus preferred customer states and discounts on repairs and upgrades. We are here to help you save money on air conditioning in Fresno, CA all year long.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Fresno
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Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Every air conditioner has an air filer, deigned to catch particles of dirt and dust and keep them from moving through the system. Air filters need to be changed periodically (though some models have reusable filters that can be washed instead of being replaced) or else they can cause a considerable number of problems. Here in Fresno, air conditioning services can usually treat the problems cause by dirty air filters, but the more you know about the issue, the better you can prevent such problems from starting in the first place. Call us today if you need your air filter replaced in Fresno.

Dirty air filters tend to clog the flow of air through the system, which means your air conditioner needs to work harder in order to do its job. Not only does this increase strain on the entire system (raising the risk of repairs), but it forces your AC unit to expend more energy, which results in higher monthly bills. In addition, the excess dirt blown through the system will spread throughout your household via the air ducts. If you have sensitive family members, such as the elderly or those suffering from asthma, this can constitute a health risk, and even in healthier family members, the excess dust can result in a scratchy, irritated throat and lungs.

On top of that, the excess dust can coat the inside components of your air conditioning system itself. This can create friction in moving parts, increasing the overall wear and tear and raising the chances of a more serious breakdown in the future. It can also create ice on the evaporator coils, clog lines and other key components, and cause no end of slow, long-term damage over time.

You can reduce the risk of problems caused by dirty air filters by having them changed regularly, ideally as part of a larger maintenance session from the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We have the skills you need to do the job right, and we can help you stop a number of issues before they start.

Here in Fresno, air conditioning systems are an absolute necessity during the heat of summer. Give us a call today and let us make sure it’s ready when you need it!

Tags: Air Filters, Fresno
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3 Air Conditioning Problems You May Encounter This Summer

Friday, June 20th, 2014

One of the last things you want to happen during a hot summer day in the Central Valley is for your air conditioner to shut down. Emergency service will get to you as soon as possible, but that still means a few uncomfortable hours without cooling. The best way to avoid this problem is to make sure that your AC receives its regular maintenance and that you call for repairs for smaller issues the moment you detect them.

Here are three air conditioning issues you may encounter during the summer that must be looked at and fixed right away before they grow worse and jeopardize your home’s cooling. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is on-call 7 days a week to handle your requirements for air conditioning repair in Fresno, CA. You can trust in our over 60 years of experience for whatever work you need done.

Take care of these 3 air conditioning problems right away

Hard starting: This describes when your AC has difficulty coming on or switching into cooling mode. You’ll hear the system stutter and struggle to turn on, and often shut down soon afterwards. This is often because of trouble with the motors or the capacitors. If this continues, it can cause severe damage to the compressor, and it will place stress on other components and drain excess power. Technicians can replace the parts causing the hard starting or install a “hard-start kit” to overcome the issue.
Icing along the coil: Your air conditioner blows out cold air, but it should never develop ice anywhere on it. If you notice ice growing along the indoor coil of your AC, you have a serious problem somewhere in the system. It could be a clogged air filter, a loss of refrigerant, or a build-up of grime along the coil. You can’t solve this problem by scraping the ice off the coil (and you might damage the coil in the process): call for professional repairs.
Fan damage: The outdoor fan can sometimes sustain damage from debris entering the cabinet. (Make sure to keep the area around the condenser clear for at least a foot to reduce the chance of this occurring.) If the fan blades become bent because of debris, they will start to strike the fan casing, causing additional damage. When you hear any sort of loud striking sound from the condenser, call for repairs right away.

If you haven’t had a maintenance visit for your air conditioner yet this year, make sure you take care of that as soon as you can. Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to sign up for our Ultimate Savings Agreement, which will deliver you two tune-ups a year and provide you with preferred customer status and discounts on repairs and upgrades. Maintenance will help keep your needs for air conditioning repair in Fresno, CA to a minimum.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Fresno
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What Happens When Your AC Condenser Needs Repairs

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

The AC condenser array is the component that starts the air conditioning cycle: applying heat and pressure to the refrigerant gas before releasing it into the compression coils where it reverts to a liquid state. (The evaporator coils return it to a gaseous state, which cools the nearby air and completes the air conditioning process.) When your AC condenser runs into problems, it can cut off power to your entire system, as well as reducing its cooling potential and similar dire issues. Here in Fresno, air conditioning repair companies can usually correct the issue with due speed.

Here’s A Brief Outline of What Happens When Your AC Condenser Needs Repairs

In some cases, the problem is electrical in nature. Either the circuits and wires providing power to the motor have gone bad or some component in the condenser motor itself has been damaged. In these cases, the air conditioner won’t start up at all. This is a valuable safety feature since it prevents further damage to the unit. However, you’ll have to get the electrical problem fixed before you can run the system again.

Another problem can occur if the condenser becomes excessively dirty, or the vent to the condenser unit is blocked. In some cases, this will result in the condenser working inefficiently. The AC unit won’t cool the air properly, and your system will have to work much harder in order to do its job. Alternately, the dirty condenser may result in rapid cycling, or turning the unit on and off very rapidly. Air conditioners use far more energy turning on and off than they do just running, so the conditioning needs to be addressed quickly.

Regardless of what happens when your AC condenser needs repairs, you’ll probably notice the effect fairly readily. When you do, you need to contract the professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Air conditioning systems need to perform at their peak during the hot summer months. We have the skills and experience to handle most any problem, so give us a call today to schedule air conditioning repair service in the Fresno area. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Fresno
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3 Ways to Lower the Risk of Air Conditioning Repair

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

With summer on the way, you’re going to need your air conditioning system to perform at its best day in and day out. Repairs can be miserable when they take place in the middle of a heat wave, and while emergency repair services are sometimes available, no one wants to take that chance. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning in Fresno is always on the job, but rather than waiting for a point in which you need them, consider the methods you can use to prevent that call in the first place.

Here Are 3 Ways to Lower the Risk of Air Conditioning Repairs

A/C Maintenance. Routine maintenance services are designed to clean the dust off of internal components, as well as recharging refrigerant and performing other small tune-ups. As a result, your air conditioner suffers less strain and doesn’t need to work as hard to do its job. Not only does that lower the risk of repairs, but it can save you money on monthly bills to boot. (Above and beyond professional maintenance, make sure you change your air filter regularly and ensure that it doesn’t get too dirty.)
Upgrades. Minor upgrades like zone control systems and programmable thermostats are a worthwhile investment for the same reason that a maintenance session is. Zone control systems let you shut off the air to parts of the house you aren’t using. New thermostats provide remote options that let you turn off the air when you aren’t at home. Both features reduce the strain on your system, leading to less of a chance of repairs as well as lowering monthly bills.
Home improvements. You can take steps around your home to help the air conditioner perform more effectively. For example, see about adding more insulation to your roof and sealing cracks around the doors and windows with weather stripping. They will help you home retain cool air better and reduce the stress on your air conditioning system.

For more ways to lower the risk of air conditioning repairs, or to schedule a repair session for your home, contact the pros at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repairs in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley, so give us a call today!

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Fresno
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3 Improvements Offered by a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

No one likes to think of their air conditioners as needing replacement. They’re an expensive item, after all, and ideally your existing air conditioner will last you for many years. Sooner or later, however, every appliance needs to be replaced, and if your existing air conditioner is more than ten years old, you should consider upgrading it with a newer model. Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation is a fairly routine operation for most qualified services, and a trained technician can go over all your options with you before performing the installation. Here are 3 improvements offered by a new air conditioner that you should seriously consider.

Improved efficiency. Air conditioning efficiency is measured by a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. Because your new air conditioner is likely more recent, it takes advantage of new technology and has no wear and tear on it. That means it will be more efficient than your old system, and cost you much less in monthly bills to boot.
Fewer repairs. New systems usually feature a warranty, which means that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong. That can be a considerable relief when your older system has suffered from significant breakdowns and other problems.
Zone controls. A zone control system can be installed as part of the new system. It connects a series of valves and switches in the duct system, allowing you to control the individual temperature in each room. You can even shut off the air conditioning in parts of the house you aren’t using, helping you to save more on monthly bills than ever before.

The experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can talk about the improvements offered by a new air conditioner, as well as inspecting your house for a proper sized unit and discussing your other options with you.

Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation services don’t come any more reliable. We’re ready to serve you, so give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become More Expensive to Run

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Summer is coming and with it comes in inevitable reality of higher air conditioning bills. Here in Fresno, we need our air conditioning systems to run reliably, lest they leave us at the mercy of triple-digit temperatures. Higher bills are a part and parcel of that equation, and to a certain extent we need to accept that fact. But the need for cool temperatures in hot weather can sometimes hide the fact that you’re paying more for your air conditioning service than you need to.

Here Are 3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become Expensive To Run

Lack of maintenance. Dust and dirt can build up inside your air conditioner especially here in the Central Valley. That increases friction and reduces efficiency. So does a clogged air filter and any components with loose bolts or fittings. If you haven’t gotten your air conditioner serviced in a while, you might end up paying for it with higher bills this summer.
Leaky refrigerant. Your air conditioner requires a certain specific level of refrigerant to function. If it doesn’t have it, then ice will form on the evaporator coils. That reduces the efficiency of the unit, forcing it to work harder and increasing strain on the system as a result. A properly trained professional can seal the leak and recharge refrigerant levels for you.
Breached ducts. Your duct system needs to be closed to the outside air in order to function. If a breach develops, it will either cause cool air to leak out or suck hot air in. Either way, your system won’t function as effectively as it should.

If you spot any of these reasons why your air conditioner might become more expensive to run, the next step is to contact the Fresno air conditioning system experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning immediately. We operate in Fresno, CA, air conditioning systems are our specialty, and we have a sterling reputation for correcting any problems you may have with speed and efficiency. The weather this summer will be too hot to take chances. Give us a call and keep your AC unit functioning the way it should!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Fresno
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When is it Time to Install a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 16th, 2014

The question can haunt a longtime homeowner: when is it time to install a new air conditioner? Such a project can cost a great deal, and for prudent residents of Fresno, air conditioning installation is often something that can wait in favor of more pressing matters. On the other hand, our punishing summers can be extremely hard on older systems, and sometimes even the most reliable air conditioner needs to be put out to pasture in favor of something more efficient. Only you can decide when the time has come to make a change like that, but a few simple guidelines can help you out.

In the first place, you have to measure the unstated cost of keeping your old system versus the up-front cost of installing a new one. Old air conditioners usually feature worn parts and components, which reduce the system’s efficiency and raise the cost of monthly cooling bills. Over time, that cost can become so large that a new system becomes the only practical option. The savings in monthly bills may be enough to significantly offset the cost of installation.

Along those lines, the frequency and severity of repairs can impact the decision as well. Every air conditioner needs repairs every now and then, but your existing unit may be suffering more breakdowns than you’re prepared to handle. Alternately, it may suffer a breakdown so severe that repairing it simply means throwing good money after bad. It may be more attractive to put that money into the cost of a new unit instead of trying to spruce up the old one.

Finally, pay close attention to the overall age of your unit. If it’s been well maintained, it may last months or even years past its expected replacement date. On the other hand, if it’s more than 10 years old and costs start piling up as outlined above, that’s probably the sign you need to consider a replacement.

And when you do, be sure to contact the Fresno air conditioning experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for help. Air conditioning installation is one of our basic services, and our trained staff can guide you through the process when it’s time to install a new air conditioner. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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How Powerful an Air Conditioning Should I Install?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioning system is more complicated than it may appear. It’s not like buying a TV or a refrigerator, where you just look for the options you want at a price you can afford. An air conditioner is a major investment in your home, and needs to be properly sized in order to function as it should. By “size,” we mean cooling power rather than physical size. It’s perhaps the most important aspect of any new air conditioning system. “How powerful an air conditioning should I install?” you ask. A brief answer can be found below.

The exact formula for determining an air conditioner’s power is complicated. It starts with the square footage of your home, which requires approximately 25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of power for every square foot you have in your home. That’s a rough estimation, though most air conditioners list the recommended square footage on the box. There are countless variables to consider as well. For example, you need to determine how well your house is insulated, and whether your doors and windows have any cracks that could leak air. You need to factor in sunlight exposure, which can warm the house considerably in sufficient amounts, and whether air flow facilitates a rise or a loss in temperature. A trained professional can make those calculations for you and provide an ideal power level for your home.

Why? If your air conditioner is too small, it won’t do the job and if it’s too large, it will cycle on and off rapidly, using a lot of energy and causing a lot of wear in the process. (Air conditioners use huge amounts of energy powering up and down.) An ideally-sized unit will perform at maximum efficiency, increasing its lifespan and lowering your monthly bills in the process.

For more details on how powerful an air conditioning system you should install, contact the experts a Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We understand the ins and outs of air conditioning installation in Fresno and other towns throughout the Central Valley, and we know how to get you the system that works best for your home. Contact us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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Common Air Conditioning Problems in the Spring

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

We don’t often think about repairing our air conditioners in the spring. Here in Madera, air conditioning problems don’t usually make themselves known until we’re deeper into the summer, when temperatures rise and you need your system every day. But that doesn’t mean you won’t face common air conditioning problems in the spring. Indeed, dealing with those problems before the summer hits can save you a great deal of trouble.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the things to look for.

Low refrigerant. Refrigerant gas is the foundation of your air conditioning system. It cycles through the system, shifting first into a liquid state and then back into a gas before starting again. The results pull heat from the surrounding air, which is what allows your air conditioner to cool your home. Refrigerant levels need to be at a set amount, as determined by your precise air conditioner model. If a leak springs up, refrigerant will leak out, causing your unit to struggle and causing excessive wear and tear on other components. This is an especial concern in the spring, since you won’t detect a leak after your air conditioner sits idle all winter.
Dust and dirt. Dust and dirt clog air filters, which reduce the flow of air and make it harder to cool down your home. They also can coat other interior components, increasing friction on moving parts and causing more wear on the system as a whole. Again, dust and dirt usually accumulate after not running the air conditioner for several months, which typically happens during the winter.
Clogged drain line. The drain line is connected to a drain pan, which collects condensate and moves it out of the system. They can become clogged after a period of little use, which will cause the pan to overflow when you start using the air conditioner again.

You can address common problems in the spring by scheduling air conditioning maintenance with Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We work in Madera, air conditioning maintenance is a standard service of ours and we can make sure that your unit is ready to go as soon as temperatures start to rise. Call us today to make an appointment!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Madera
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