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

Air Conditioning Repair Needs: Uneven Outdoor Units

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

Have you ever wondered why your outdoor air conditioning unit rests on a concrete slab? It’s not just to keep it out of the dirt. It’s to ensure that the unit is resting on a level surface in order to do its job. If the outdoor unit isn’t level – if the slab is uneven or the unit is tilted at an angle – then it could cause problems: possibly leaving you without a reliable air conditioning system during those hot summer days in Silver Spring.

An uneven outdoor unit can arise when the ground settles under the foundation, or if the initial installation was faulty in some way. The problems from this condition are twofold. The first is that it places additional strain on the lines and coils in the unit, increasing wear and tear and running the risk of a leak or a rupture. Over time, this can have severe repercussions on the unit, necessitating significant repairs.

The second problem occurs when water puddles around the unit thanks to uneven ground. If he water gets into the system it can cause a short, as well as resulting in unpleasant odors and corrosion of metal components. A level foundation prevents pooling, and the placement of the unit may affect this process as well.

Correcting the issue involves making the outdoor unit level again, which can involve either resetting the concrete foundation, or adjusting the unit itself to stand level. The specifics vary by circumstance, but usually require the services of a professional to properly diagnose. A trained air conditioning service expert can ascertain the impact on your outdoor unit, the steps that need to be taken to fix it and he best way to implement those steps. He can also determine if the problem lies in the ground itself, and possibly suggest an alternative placement for your air conditioner to fix the issue.

If you’re looking for advice on dealing with an uneven outdoor unit, the technicians at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating can help. We’ve provided reliable service to homeowners throughout the Silver Spring area, and can provide advice and expertise on the proper solution to the problem. Contact us today to set up a consultation.

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Solutions to Help Ventilate Your Home During the Air Conditioning Season

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

The hot summer months in Rockville, MD can take a toll on your air conditioning systems, which can cool your home and provide a comfortable respite from the heat of the day. In most cases, you want to close your home up tight when you run the air conditioning unit, to better allow it to cool the air without wasting energy. Depending upon the weather, however, you may wish to ventilate your home rather than (or in addition to) running the air conditioning system, which can save money on electric bills while still letting you enjoy a comfortable home environment.

Chances are, you already practice natural ventilation by opening up the doors and/or windows in your house occasionally, which allows air to move through without having to run the AC unit. Ceiling fans, portable fans and kitchen fans can all be used to increase circulation and improve the ventilation in your house.

In some cases, however, natural ventilation may not be enough to keep your house comfortable. In that case, you can see about installing whole-house ventilation, which makes us of fans and ducts to move air throughout the house. In many cases, your existing furnace or air conditioning system may have this type of ventilation built in. You may also need to have additional vents installed in the roof or the attic; since hot air rises, rooftop vents help the heat escape, keeping your home from overheating.

You might want to add to your ventilation system with an energy recovery ventilator, or ERV, which directly transfers the cooling or heating from the air leaving your house to the air coming in. This can allow you to ventilate your house while saving energy.

If you need solutions to help ventilate your home during the warm months, then contact Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating. We serve Rockville and the whole of Montgomery County, and can discuss ventilation options with you, as well as making recommendations on increasing the air flow in your home. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and our trained technicians perform with efficiency and care. Give us a call today to set up an appointment with our friendly staff.

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Air Conditioning Repair Guide: My System is Rattling

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

Even a layman can tell that something’s not right when the air conditioning system starts rattling. In Bethesda, air conditioning repair is definitely not something to wait on, as hot, humid summers take their toll without a cool living space to come home to. The rattling sound in your air conditioning system may have a number of difference causes, all of which can be addressed by a properly trained professional. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Loose Hardware: A shipping bolt stuck in the system, a broken spring or a piece of insecure tubing: anything loose in the system could cause a rattling noise. Rattling may also occur if a given component isn’t properly secured, creating the noise when the air conditioning turns on.
  • Fan noises: A blower fan with bent blades or a loose housing may come into contact with another part of the air condition system, resulting in a grinding or rattling noise. Fans may also make rattling noises if a twig or similar obstruction gets caught in the vents.
  • Compressor Motor: In some cases, a new compressor motor will make a rattling noise if the system is activated before it has 24 hours to power up.  A rattling in the compressor will also occur if some internal component in the motor is loose, even if the motor itself is securely housed.

Rattling noises can be amplified and carried by your air conditioning system’s duct, making it difficult to determine the exact source. That’s why using a professional technician is better than attempting to correct the problem yourself. Not only can an expert pinpoint the cause of the rattling, but he can repair the source of it, instead of just replacing the problematic part without concern for the underlying problem.

If your system is rattling, don’t hesitate. Turn off the air conditioning unit, then call the professionals at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating. We handle air conditioning repair in Bethesda and throughout the surrounding communities, and are dedicated to solving your problem the first time, every time. Call us today to hunt down the source of that rattle and make sure it’s corrected properly.

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Am I Inadvertently Damaging My Plumbing?

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

At Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating, we understand that not everyone is a professional plumber. However, there is some basic knowledge that every homeowner ought to have that can help them keep their plumbing in the best condition possible. Today we’d like to take a few moments of your time to discuss a few ways in which you may inadvertently be doing your home plumbing system harm. Your plumbing is an incredibly important system in your home, and it is important that it is able to function properly. Avoid making these common mistakes, and you may just find that you don’t have to contact a professional plumber for repair services anymore.

One of the easiest ways for homeowners to damage their plumbing systems is to put the wrong materials down there drains. This is a very common issue in homes with garbage disposals. It may be tempting to just scrape everything on the plates into the garbage disposal at the end of the night, but in doing so you are putting your appliance and your drains at risk. Any very hard materials, such as animal bones, should go right into the trash. Also, keep in mind that very fibrous foods, such as celery and corn husks, can get wrapped up in your garbage disposal. Not only will this burn out your motor, but it can make for a very serious drain clog. Never put hot fat or grease down your drain. It will congeal and trap other materials.

Another very common way that homeowners damage their plumbing is simply by ignoring signs of trouble with it. There is never a problem with your plumbing system that is too minor to contact a professional plumber about. Even the smallest water leaks may indicate the possibility of more serious leaks in less visible areas. Slow moving drains in the tub and sinks may not be a major concern, but eventually clogs can disrupt the pressure in your system enough to cause damage to your pipes. Contact a professional plumber as soon as you notice problem.

For more information on how you can protect the condition of your plumbing in Gaithersburg, contact Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today. We are happy to help keep the water flowing in your home. Let us handle all of your plumbing repair and maintenance needs.

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