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

Air Conditioner Repairs to Look Out for this Spring

Friday, April 4th, 2014

One of life’s sweet moments: That first day during the spring when you turn on your AC and hear its gentle hum. You know for certain then that summer is on the way.

One of life’s less sweet moments: That first day of boiling summer weather when you turn on your AC and hear it screech, groan, and stop. You know for certain then that a repair call to a professional is on the way… and you’ll have to sweat it out until then.

In these early spring days, pay close attention to your air conditioner to see if it has any malfunctions that need professional attention. Make sure that you AC is ready and able to handle the summer stress. When you know you need professional air conditioning repairs in Fresno, CA, call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We’ve kept the Central Valley cool since the Summer of ’52!

Watch for these repair needs

  • Leaking refrigerant: The refrigerant that circulates through your AC is crucial for the system to work. During normal operation, the refrigerant does not get “used up” as it moves between the evaporation and condensing stages. However, it can start to leak from the coils of the compressor, and when this happens the air conditioner will quickly lose its ability to cool your home. If you notice frost developing over the indoor coils, call for repairs: this is often a sign of leaking refrigerant.
  • Bad capacitors: Capacitors are cylindrical metal devices that serve as short-term batteries. They store up an electric charge to send to the fan and compressor motors to start them or keeping them running. When a capacitor begins to fail, you may notice a clicking sound from the cabinet as the AC starts up. If the system struggles during start-up (“hard starting”) and occasionally trips a circuit breaker, then a failing capacitor is the likely reason. A technician will replace the old capacitor with a new one.
  • Fixed compressor: The compressor supplies the energy to the refrigerant that sends it through the indoor and outdoor coils; it functions in a similar way to the heart in an animal. Its construction resembles a piston engine, and like a piston engine it can became fixed because of dirt or lack of lubrication. Technicians can sometimes repair this; otherwise they will replace the compressor.

When it comes to AC repairs, those who hesitate are left in the heat! Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is on call 7 days a week to help you when your AC starts to wobble. We’ll deliver the air conditioning repairs in Fresno, CA you need to have a great summer.

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Reasons to Install a New Air Conditioner

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014

An air conditioning system is no small investment, and before you pull the trigger on one, you want to be sure you’re doing the right thing. If properly maintained, an existing system can last for many years, and while air conditioning installation in Fresno is a common service, many of those companies can perform repairs on existing systems just as easily. Everyone’s circumstances are different, of course, but a few general guidelines can help make the process easier.

Here are some general reasons to install a new air conditioner.

  • Efficiency is going down. Over time, the parts in your air conditioner are going to wear out, requiring more energy to function as they should. That means your monthly bills may start skyrocketing, even though you’re not using your air conditioner any more often than normal. Installing a new system usually results in much lower bills, helping you earn back some of the cost of installation automatically.
  • Repairs are going up. The longer your air conditioner goes on, the more frequently it may need to be repairs and the ore expensive those repairs will be. Eventually, you’re going to be throwing good money after bad. New systems usually have a warranty, which will protect you from those pesky repair bills for at least a few years.
  • Your existing air conditioner has been around a while. New air conditioners are almost more efficient by default, and while an old one can hold up a long time if you keep it well maintained, time will eventually catch up to it. If it evinces other problems and it’s more than ten years old, that may be the catalyst to finally get it replaced.

 

You may have some good reasons to install a new air conditioner, but you’ll still need a proper service for air conditioning installation in Fresno. The experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning have the skills and experience to handle a new installation, and can advise you on whether you truly need a new system, or whether a repair session will better suit your needs. Give us a call to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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Free Estimates on Air Conditioning Replacements

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Crane Photo 2012 webCall Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning replacement services. We offer free estimates for our air conditioning replacement projects so there’s no risk for you to call us and get a price on your AC replacement project. No matter what kind of air conditioning system you have right now, our experts can examine your home and find a unit that best suits your needs and your budget.

We’ve been taking pride in offering value to our customers for over 60 years and are committed to our workmanship and customer service. Call us for your FREE estimate at 559-674-2774559-674-2774 or request on-line.

AC INSTALL REPLACE PHOTO

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Replacing Air Filters on a Regular Basis

Thursday, January 30th, 2014

Purls - Filters-2

Replacing the air filters regularly in your home or business is a must.   A clogged air filter can cause trouble with your HVAC system.  It can cause additional stress to your heating and cooling equipment that can lead to costly breakdowns or even equipment failure.  This can lower the indoor air quality of the air you breathe.  The air filters need to be changed on a regular basis or it can block and restrict air flow through your ductwork and HVAC system.

Cooling

Your AC system is designed to remove heat from your home or business.   The fan pulls the warm air and passes it over evaporative coils.  The fan pushes the newly generated cool air through the ductwork system to cool your home or business.   When the filter is clogged it reduces the airflow into the system and can cause many problems.   It can reduce the cooling capacity and in turn reduce the comfort level.   It can even cause the coils to ice up and the system to struggle and make noises.  During the hot summers in Fresno CA, you want to make sure your equipment is working to capacity.  Poor operation can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of your equipment not to mention your comfort level.

Heating

Operating your heater with a clogged filter can be very dangerous.   A clogged filter does not allow enough cold air to pass over the heat exchanger and can cause the heat exchanger to crack.   When a heat exchanger cracks it can be dangerous.   It can leak carbon monoxide into your home or business.

Just like your car, your home’s heating and air conditioning system needs regular maintenance and service to keep it running properly.   Check your operation manual for the suggested filter changing requirements.  The best way to extend the life of your equipment is to have your HVAC system serviced, cleaned and inspected on a regular basis by a licensed professional.  During routine service your technician will replace the air filters and clean the components of your HVAC Air Filter.   At Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning our service technicians can service your HVAC system, change your filters and help you maintain efficient operations.

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New Construction Subdivision

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Purls Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has launched into another big project with a residential subdivision in Madera, CA. Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse at the work we have done so far. The images show ductwork, plenums, and return air vents that have been constructed and installed by Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We are very proud of our team for their hard work and the quality they bring to all they do!

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When to Consider Your Replacing Your Air Conditioning System

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Have you ever thought about how much effort it takes your AC to cool your home during the summer? If you’re like most homeowners, then you probably run your air conditioner almost constantly. All that use can really take a toll on your equipment and cause the need for repair. However, you may eventually need to start thinking about replacing your air conditioning system and knowing when that time has come can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together a quick list of some of the things that you should look for that could indicate that you need replacement for your air conditioning in Fresno.

Give us a call here at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning and one of our friendly experts can help you with any Fresno air conditioning services that you need.

Tips for Replacing Your Air Conditioning in Fresno

Take a look below at some of the things to think about when replacing your air conditioning in Fresno.

  • Age of the system – Oftentimes, age is a good indicator for when you should replace your air conditioning system. One of the reasons is that as your AC ages it will likely develop the need for more repairs. Additionally, there are tremendous efficiency gains to be had from replacing your air conditioner. Many technological advancements allow new AC units to achieve very high levels of efficiency.
  • Frequent repairs – Usually, air conditioning systems should operate with very few repairs required. If your AC needs to be fixed often then you could potentially avoid those problems by replacing it. If your air conditioning system is old and it needs to be repaired often then there is even more incentive to replace as opposed to continuing to pay for repairs.
  • Inefficiency – If your air conditioning system start to operate less efficiently it could make sense to replace it. If your home is uncomfortable because you don’t want to run your air conditioner because it is so inefficient it might be a good idea to think about replacing it.

Call us here at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning if you have any questions about your AC or if you suspect that you’re ready to replace your air conditioning in Fresno.

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A Brief Guide to Installing a New Air Conditioning System

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

If your air conditioning system has failed permanently or if you’re moving into a brand new home, make sure that you call a Fresno air conditioning installation professional. Getting your new AC installed by the professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is one of the best ways to make sure that the new system works well and lasts for as long as possible. We often get asked by our customers about how the installation process actually works. Here’s a quick description of what the process is like. Give us a call if you have any questions.

Fresno Air Conditioning Installation Process

One of the most important decisions that needs to be made is what type of air conditioning system you want to have installed in your home. There are a number of different types of AC systems available on the market and our technicians will help you figure out which system is right for your home. You’re probably familiar with central AC systems but there are others out there such as heat pumps, package units which contain both a heater and AC system, and ductless mini split systems that allow you to dispense with ductwork.

Once you decide what type of system works for your needs, you need to determine exactly what size system is good for your home. Different air conditioning systems have different cooling outputs. If you get an AC that is too powerful or too large for your home it could negatively affect the comfort and efficiency of your home. Likewise if your AC is too small it won’t be able to cool your home. Our experts will run all the necessary calculations to determine exactly what size system is right for your home.

Next, our specialists will install your new air conditioning system at your home. The years of training and experience that we have will allow us to provide you with the quality and speed of service that you deserve. There are huge benefits to calling your local contractor for professional Fresno air conditioning installation services. Not only will the job be completed faster, but it will also be completed with high quality.

No matter what kind of AC unit you want installed, call Fresno air conditioning specialists Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation services that you can trust.

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How A Bad Capacitor Affects Your Air Conditioner

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

When you set your thermostat to a certain temperature you expect that your air conditioning system will automatically turn on and start to remove heat from your home. But if your system won’t turn on or if only parts of your system are running it could be the fault of the capacitors in your HVAC system. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is proud to offer a full range of air conditioning repair services in Fresno, CA and we wanted to share a little bit with you about capacitors. Give us as call today if you have any questions or if you’re having any problems with your air conditioning system.

Fresno Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Capacitors

Capacitors are kind of like an energy booster for the motors in your air conditioning system. They store energy and deliver it to the motors when they need. Your AC has a couple critical motors that use capacitors: both the fans each have their own capacitors and the compressor motor also has its own. If any of these capacitors fail then those motors won’t be able to start up. As a homeowner, you can determine which capacitor is out by listening to your system. If you hear a low, electronic hum coming from any of your components it could be the motor trying to start up on its own and failing. Also, if you only hear certain components running then you can determine that the capacitor for the failing component needs to be replaced.

Also, if you aren’t getting enough cooling in your home it could be the fault of the capacitor. For example, your compressor is there to compress a refrigerant that is used to remove heat from your home. If the compressor doesn’t start up then the AC can’t remove heat. If the fan motors’ capacitors aren’t working then the system won’t be able to push cool air into your home which will likely leave you uncomfortable.

For any air conditioning repair service that you need, call the Fresno air conditioning specialists at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

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Meet Our New Ford Focus Fleet Member!

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is proud to introduce our newest fleet member: the Ford Focus “Speedy”! Our new Ford Focus is fuel efficient and eco-conscious, which suites the Purl’s Sheet Metal philosophy perfectly. We want to do what we can to take care of our environment. Needless to say, we are all very excited about the new addition and wanted to share the news with you!

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How Does a Thermostat Work?

Friday, August 16th, 2013

The thermostat serves as the control panel for your air conditioning system, allowing you to set the temperature and cool your house. Older thermostats used mercury switches to function, while newer ones are almost exclusively digital: allowing them to add convenient features like automatic activation. You may wonder how exactly they work, especially in an area like Fresno where temperatures climb during our hot Central Valley summers. The specifics depend on the type of thermostat you have.

Older thermostats placed several wires in a small vial which contained a measure of mercury. One wire stays in contact with the mercury at all times. The other two sit on either side of the vial and are attached to thermometer coils on the ends. When you adjust the heat or the cooling controls, the thermostat tips the vial, putting the mercury in contact with one of these wires and activating the heating or cooling cycle. The coils unwind until they tip the vial again, moving the mercury and shutting the system off.

Digital thermometers are much more complex, utilizing electronic components to perform the same function as mercury thermometers. Specifically, they use a device called a thermistor, which permits shifts in electrical resistance when the temperature changes. A microcontroller can gauge the level of resistance in the thermistor and convert that to an actual number. When that number is hit, the system turns the heat or the cool air on and off as needed. That allows users greater control over the process. For instance, they can set the thermostat to automatically turn on at a specific time, then turn off again when the goal temperature is reached.

When thermostats break down, it pays to call on an air conditioning professional in Fresno to enact repairs. The mercury in older thermostats is hazardous and requires a qualified air conditioning technician to approach properly. Newer thermostats may utilize a number of different components, and still require the proper know-how to properly connect to your air conditioning system. If you are experiencing problems with your thermostat, or you’d like to replace an older model with something more up to date, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Our service technicians can travel to anywhere in the Fresno, CA area and can handle whatever air conditioning needs you may have.

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