Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Archive for March, 2013

Air Conditioning Tip: Why You Shouldn’t Put Off AC Repair

Monday, March 25th, 2013

It’s starting to get hot in Gaithersburg, MD and that means homeowners throughout the area are beginning to inspect, clean and turn on their air conditioners. After all, it’s important to sort out any issues now before they become major repairs. Prevention is always the best medicine, but occasionally your AC will need repair, no matter how diligent you are about keeping it clean. Spring is a great time to take care of any such AC repairs, and doing so now may help prevent a breakdown in August. For AC repair in Gaithersburg, MD, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today!

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of AC repair:

  • System preservation. Repairing even small faults now can go a long way towards maintaining the life of your cooling system. Whether your system is 3 or 13 years old, it will eventually develop issues. While preventive maintenance can help you avoid some of the most common problems, your AC is a mechanical system, like any other. Make sure it lasts.
  • Energy-efficiency. Unless the problem completely shuts your AC down, some homeowners are content to let a few small issues handle themselves. The logic is that so long as your AC runs, what’s the problem? Unfortunately, sometimes that means you may be paying for more energy than you’re actually using. If there is an airflow, mechanical fault, or leak, then you may be paying too much to run your AC. During the peak heat of the summer, when our energy expenditures are also at their peak, that repair may have paid for itself.
  • Comfort. Maybe this is the most convincing reason for AC repair. With the sun high in the sky during late July, the last thing you want your AC to do is quit. But if you delay that lurking AC repair another few months, then you may be facing a major breakdown when you need cool air the most.

Making sure your AC is performing efficiently and effectively improves system life, cuts down on energy costs and secures your home comfort. For comprehensive AC repair in Gaithersburg, MD, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today!

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Why You Need Spring Heat Pump Maintenance

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Because it works all year long to control the temperature of your home, your heat pump requires maintenance. As with any other appliance or machine, the routine maintenance of your heat pump can help to prevent major problems, extend the lifespan of the unit, and improve the efficiency of the heating and cooling system as a whole. Spring is the perfect time to inspect, tune-up and clean your heat pump before the summer heat arrives.

Enrolling in a preventive maintenance plan for your heat pump often entitles you to precision tune-ups, service and equipment discounts, priority service, and quality guarantees. Your heat pump removes heat from your home during the cooling season, and removes cold from your home during the heating season. There are a number of components and mechanism that make this possible. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you need spring heat pump maintenance in Bethesda, MD:

  • Equipment check. The electrical and mechanical components of your heat pump need to be checked for wear and tear and potential damage. Catching relatively minor problems and repairing them today may help to save you from major repairs later. Your compressor and blower components should be in good working order, as well as the coils.
  • Cleaning. Dust and debris pose a serious danger to the integrity of your heat pump over time. Although they may seem harmless, they can cause your system to overheat, clog up mechanical movement, dry out bearings, and generally increase wear and tear. Thorough cleaning during heat pump maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure that your system runs effectively and efficiently.
  • Repair. As your local heat pump technician cleans and checks the components of your system, he is also able to inspect and troubleshoot any problems. Delaying repairs does not cause those problems to go away—in most cases, they only worsen. Spring is a great time to get those repairs out of the way so you can enjoy cool crisp air from your heat pump all summer long.

For spring heat pump maintenance in Bethesda, MD, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today! 

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Air Conditioning Solutions: Why Go Ductless?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

As summer approaches, homeowners are already thinking of ways they can more efficiently cool their homes. While we cannot control the energy costs, we can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home. We offer comprehensive air conditioning solutions, including the latest ductless mini split models. If you’re looking for an alternative to central air conditioning, then a ductless mini split system might be your ticket to better cooling performance this summer. For more information about the new systems you can get in Rockville, MD, call Tucker’s Air Conditioning & Heating today!

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should go ductless this summer:

  • No ducts. Ductwork not only requires repairs and maintenance, but given high moisture conditions, it can attract microbial growth and reduce air quality. Ducts can also account for significant amount of energy loss, especially when the develop cracks or air leaks. For homeowners with allergies, ducts often transmit airborne allergens, unless properly filtered. In short, it’s another system to worry about in your house. A ductless mini split system, on the other hand, uses no ducts to distribute its air, but rather relies on a regular outdoor condenser/compressor unit, and indoor air handlers, which hang high on the wall.
  • Efficiency. Ductless systems are more efficient for two major reasons: first, they tend to be more energy-efficient, and this leads to greater savings; and second, you can customize the zones of your home by using multiple units. This gives you a much greater control over how your home is cooled during the summer.
  • Quiet operation. Ductless mini splits are known not only for their sleek design, but also for their comparatively quiet operation. While the relatively louder parts of the AC system housed in the outdoor unit, the interior air handlers often surprise homeowners who hadn’t realized they were even on.

The ductless mini split AC is not only an alternative system, but also an excellent air conditioning solution in its own right. For homeowners considering switching to ductless, or for those who are looking for innovative cooling performance, contact an air conditioning specialist at Tucker’s Air Conditioning & Heating  at  301-670-0034 today!

 

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Is Geothermal a Good Home Cooling Option in Chevy Chase MD?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

For homeowners in the Chevy Chase, MD area looking for an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating and cooling, geothermal technology is a very attractive option. Geothermal systems harness thermal energy stored in the ground to heat and cool your home. The geothermal experts at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating provide geothermal installation, repair and maintenance in Chevy Chase, MD and the Montgomery County area. Here are a few considerations that you may want to think about as you start moving forward with geothermal systems.

How Do Geothermal Systems Work?

What is geothermal? Your local geothermal professional will install a long series of pipes underground on your property. The system circulates water or a water-refrigerant mixture through these pipes in order to absorb or disperse heat from the ground. In heating mode, heat from the ground is absorbed and moved into your home. If you are cooling, the moderate temperature of the earth allows the geothermal heat pump to take the heat from your indoor air and disperse it underground. One of the advantages of the geothermal heat pump is that works throughout the year, in summer and winter.

Is it Right For Me?

Deciding whether geothermal is the right cooling option for your home in Chevy Chase, MD depends upon several factors:

  • Topography. Because geothermal systems require piping underground, the topography of your home can impact the installation and operation of the system. The first step is to make sure that you have enough room for the underground pipe loops. Call the Chevy Chase, MD geothermal installation experts at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating to schedule a consultation.
  • Soil composition. This relates to the topographical location of your home, and it can also impact the installation and operation. Knowing what the underground composition of your property will allow you to make an informed decision when it comes to geothermal cooling.
  • Current system. Switching over to geothermal will involve some changes in the way your system operates, so knowing the details of how those changes will take place is important.

Geothermal is a remarkable technology. It is both eco-friendly and cost-effective, and for that reason, it is growing in popularity throughout America. To learn more about geothermal installation and how it can improve the way you cool your home, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today at 301-670-0034.

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