Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Basic Guide to Maintaining an Air Conditioning System and Avoiding Premature AC Repair

Thursday, March 17th, 2016

When it comes to owning an air conditioning system in your home, it is similar to maintaining other necessary machinery. Just like cars, ACs need regular maintenance and repairs to take care of minor and major issues. This basic guide will provide you with some tips on getting the most out of your AC and extending the system’s function, all the while helping you avoid premature AC repair.

Bare Necessities to Avoid AC Repair

Change the Filter – In order to get the most out of your air conditioning system, a general rule is to change the filter on a monthly basis. This helps deter any clogs that may occur and decrease the effectiveness of the system. If filter clogging does occur, it will cause the fans to work at below-optimum performance and can also cause overheating. So remember to change those filters once a month. If you haven’t done this in months (or ever), go ahead and change them immediately.
Keep the Area Around the Unit Clean – Because the air conditioning system is design to allow air in effortlessly, it is possible for any debris, grass, and leaves to get sucked into the system. Debris can also collect on the outside of the system and hinder air from entering the system or letting it breathe. Keeping an area of about 6 inches around the unit clean from any type of vegetation will help avoid possible issues. If the area around the outside unit is clear but you’re still having issues with your unit, contact Peaden for an AC repair.
Turn Off Humidifiers – If you have a humidifier, it is very advisable to turn it off while operating the AC. Having the humidifier on will increase the need for more cool air to circulate, requiring your unit to work harder.
Schedule Regular Maintenance – Regularly scheduling professional maintenance will allow AC repair technicians to check up on your system and all of its components. A maintenance tech will do certain things to ensure proper working order, such as making sure there aren’t any clogs, cleaning any coils, and measuring the Freon levels. The technician may point out any minor problems that can be taken care of quickly to help avoid a more costly AC repair in the future.
Be Aware of Irregularities – Irregularities, such as the air conditioning system not maintaining a comfortable temperature or strange noises coming from the unit, may indicate problems that should immediately be addressed by an AC repair specialist. Be aware of how your unit works and sounds normally so that you can catch any irregularities quickly.

Following this very basic guide will help you get the most out of your air conditioning system and help it provide you with optimal cooling whenever you need it. For more information about AC repair and maintenance, or to schedule an appointment with an AC repair specialist, contact Peaden today!

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Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Replace Your Air Conditioner Before it Costs You More

Besides your air conditioner breaking down unexpectedly, how can you tell if it is time to replace your home’s air conditioning unit? Like any piece of equipment, air conditioners can wear out. When air conditioners become worn they can break down more frequently. As air conditioners age they can struggle to cool your home effectively. If you find that your energy bills are increasing your A/C unit could be costing you money.

Here are a few signs that you might need a new air conditioning system

Your AC unit requires frequent repair- If your air conditioning system is requires regular service calls to stay running, it is a sign that you may need to replace your system. The cost to replace your system could be cheaper than continuing to repair your air conditioner.
Increased energy bills- If your energy bills have been increasing, and you are not using more appliances than normal, your air conditioner could be the culprit. Over time air conditioners can become less efficient, which means they use more energy to cool your home.
Your home is always humid- Your AC unit makes an impact on the humidity levels in your home, so if you start to notice dampness inside, then this may be a sign that you need an new AC system. Having extra moisture in the air can also leave other areas of your home in need of attention because hardwood can swell and paintings can warp when they are in humid areas.
The air conditioner is noisy- A loud air conditioning system could be an indication that your have a mechanical problem. It can also be a sign that your air conditioner is running at its max capacity to cool your home. Either way a loud AC unit is a sign that your air conditioner is in need of replacement.
The air conditioning system is more than 10 years old- As air conditioners get to be older than 10 years, some of the major components can become worn and break. The saltwater environment on the beach is very harsh and can accelerate the deterioration of your air conditioning.

If you need help evaluating your system, let Peaden Air Conditioning take care of your home cooling needs. We can dispatch one of our expert NATE certified technicians to evaluate yours system. Our technicians can perform a diagnostic survey on your air conditioning system to determine if you should repair or replace your system. If you determine you would like to replace your air conditioning system, one of our Comfort Consultants can help you find a system that fits your needs and your budget and financing programs are available.

Peaden Air Conditioning Plumbing and Electrical is there for all your home service needs. We install and replace air conditioners in Panama City, Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Gulf Shores and all the other great communities in Northwest Florida. Let us show you why we are the “Professionals You Can Trust.”