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

Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Every year on the final Monday of May, citizens of America come together to honor those who have served our country. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day came to prominence after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen soldiers on either side. Although its origins are somewhat ambiguous, it has always been about bringing people together to recognize our country’s military personnel and history. We want to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who have served our county.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer. We hope that you have a wonderful day off, and that it is a great start to your summer!

 

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Can a Dirty Air Filter Lead to Air Conditioning Problems?

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

You rely heavily upon your air conditioning system in Bethesda, MD. As we enter the hottest time of the year, you need to make sure your AC is ready to perform during high heat and humidity conditions. If your system received quality installation, then you’re off to a great start, but many of our customers forget about the importance of following that up with routine maintenance. While the majority of your maintenance duties should be taken care of by a qualified technician, there is one critical task that you (the homeowner) should take care of: the air filter. For comprehensive air conditioning services in Bethesda, MD, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today!

The importance of routinely cleaning and replacing your air filter can hardly be overstated. It is designed to prevent the accumulation of dust and other debris on sensitive components within the air conditioning system. Here are some possible air conditioning problems that might befall your system if the air filter becomes excessively dirty or clogged.

  • Frozen coil: One of the first indications you may have of a dirty filter is that your indoor evaporator coil freezes up. When the cool air in your air handler is blocked by the clogged air filter, then this cool air builds up inside your system, and this can lead to excessively cool temperatures resulting in frozen coils.
  • Overheated compressor: Another potential consequence of a clogged air filter is an overheated compressor. Your compressor is one the major components of your AC. It functions like an engine to pressurize the refrigerant necessary to transfer heat out of your home and to bring cool air into your home.

Remember to check and replace your air filter about once a month during the cooling season. This is a critical part of your AC’s routine maintenance, and neglecting it can be hazardous to cooling performance as well as energy efficiency. Check with your local professional about what you can do to make your cooling more effective. Call Tucker’s today for air conditioning services in Betheda, MD

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How to Minimize Air Conditioning Repair Services?

Monday, May 13th, 2013

If your air conditioning system seems to need repair or professional service often, then you may be looking for ways to minimize repair needs as we enter the cooling season. The more you use your AC, the more subject it is to general wear and tear, and any festering issues may come to light when you need your AC most. In this post, we’d like to run through some ways you can minimize air conditioning repair in North Potomac, MD.

Call Tucker’s Air Conditioning & Heating today for comprehensive services.

  • Homeowner maintenance: Your AC is a complex machine with overlapping electrical, and mechanical systems, as well as various components that need to be kept clean. One of the primary ways your system stays clean is the air filter. The air filter is designed to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on sensitive mechanical components as well as the coils. But when it becomes dirty or clogged, it can actually begin to disrupt the refrigerant cycle by causing the evaporator coil to freeze over and other related airflow issues. 
  • Professional maintenance: The majority of maintenance tasks should be handled by an AC professional. When you schedule routine maintenance, you allow your system to be inspected, cleaned, and tuned-up by trained technicians who can spot problems that are developing, and prevent the need for repairs with thorough cleaning and adjustments. It will also help to upkeep your energy efficiency and cooling performance.
  • Too many repairs? Consider replacement if you seem to need repairs almost constantly to keep your AC running. This is especially important if your AC is old. After all, you don’t want to keep propping an obsolete system when you could save money on repairs and invest in the future of your comfort with a new one.

Call Tucker’s Air Conditioning & Heating today for comprehensive air conditioning repair services in North Potomac, MD.

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Air Conditioning FAQ: What Causes Short Cycling?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Short cycling is when your AC turns on and off frequently. Short cycling reduces the effectiveness and the energy efficiency of the cooling process, so if you notice your AC turning on and off frequently, you should definitely call a professional. We’d like to explain a few of its most common causes in this post. For comprehensive air conditioning services in Clarksburg, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today!

  • Inappropriate sizing: Unfortunately, one of the causes of short cycling is improper installation. When you’re in the market for a new AC for your home, make sure you hire a trustworthy and certified AC technician to perform all of the work. Otherwise, your AC may end up being too large or too small for your living space. If it’s too large, then it may actually short cycle frequently during operation. This increases the wear and tear on the system and may cause premature replacement.
  • Thermostat fault: Your thermostat is the primary user interface for controlling your indoor climate. It has to be professionally calibrated in order to work properly. When it’s not working properly, it can actually cause your system to turn on and off frequently. It may be reading the temperature incorrectly, or it may have a connectivity issue that needs to be repaired.
  • Refrigerant leak: Even a seemingly microscopic puncture in your coils can lead to significant loss of cooling, energy inefficiency, and even short cycling. Make sure your AC has the right amount of refrigerant “charge” at all times.
  • Damaged control board: The AC controls may be malfunctioning or damaged by moisture.

There are numerous causes of short cycling, but they all need to be fixed by a professional technician. 

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