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Air Conditioner

Broken AC Unit

Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken AC Unit?

Your AC stops working—what do you do? Should you repair it or replace it entirely? Unfortunately, the answer isn't straightforward. While repairs might cost less initially, they are not always guaranteed to last, meaning you might face further expenses down the line. This often leaves homeowners wondering whether investing in a new unit might be the wiser choice. Let’s explore both options to see which one is right for you. Evaluating Your AC Unit: Should You Repair or Replace? When it comes...

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Identifying and Fixing Common Air Conditioner Sounds: A Homeowner’s Guide

5 Common AC Noises and Diagnoses 1. Banging or Clanking Noises When your quiet home is suddenly disrupted by banging or clanking sounds coming from your air conditioning unit, it's a signal that not everything is right within your system. These noises typically indicate that there are loose or unbalanced parts lurking within your AC.  Why It Happens: Such sounds can emerge from various scenarios—common culprits often include the compressor unit, where internal moving parts have come loose, or the blower assembly, which...

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Should You Choose a Ductless Mini Split or Window Unit Air Conditioner?

Here, we’re going to compare the old standby - the window air conditioning unit - with a newer cooling system called the ductless mini-split cooling system - aka the mini-split. While each system has its advantages and disadvantages, the mini-split is a considerably better choice for most in terms of efficiency, utility bills, actual cooling, view obstruction, and a host of other concerns. Window Unit Air Conditioner The window a/c is practically an American standard; in fact, even most of the...

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two outside air conditioning units

Things To Know Before Turning Your AC Back On For Summer

The first blast of cool air from your air conditioning unit is a refreshing introduction to the spring and summer seasons, but without AC that is operating properly, the transition into the warmer months can become uncomfortable.  Knowing when to call a professional is important, especially when your air conditioning unit is showing signs of a potential problem after winter. Homeowners should know how to protect their unit during the idle months and what to look for when turning it...

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two outside air conditioning units

Calculate Actual Cost of New AC Unit [2021]

The decision to repair or replace your AC unit can be difficult. A newer system is typically more efficient, and requires less maintenance and repairs, making it less expensive year after year. However, new AC units can be expensive. When does it make sense financially to upgrade your system? This online calculator is designed to estimate as accurately as possible the actual savings you'll get from purchasing a new ac unit. Skip to the bottom of this article to see...

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refigerants

Is R22 Still Available?

On January 1, 2010, they approved a ban that began a gradual phase-out of the refrigerant R22. They slowly reduced the amount of R22 that could be brought into the United States as well as could be produced here. That timeline ended on January 1st, 2020 and now R22 can no longer be manufactured in the United States, now can we import it from other countries. Does that mean that I will not be able to make repairs to my...

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ice on exterior ac unit

What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze Up?

An air conditioner unit with freezing pipes doesn't necessarily mean the cold air is getting into the house. Several different culprits may be causing the freeze-up and inability to move cooled air into the home where it belongs. Find out more about how your AC system works and how to troubleshoot this common issue.   How Does an Air Conditioner Make Cold Air? It's helpful to know the general operating principles of an air conditioning unit, so you know the functions of...

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refigerants

Can I Mix Different Refrigerants?

You’re wondering if you can mix different refrigerants for your air conditioning system. The short-long-only answer is no, never. There are many reasons why it’s impractical, illegal, and not economical for a homeowner to mix refrigerant types. CFC-type refrigerants like R-22 – the most popular in the United States by far – are a single type of refrigerant. CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbons. These refrigerants contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. HCFC, a “replacement” refrigerant used in place of R-22, is also made up...

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Adapting To The Phase Out Of R-22 HVAC Refrigerant

As summer rolls around and temperatures begin to rise, homeowners start to focus on getting their air conditioning systems up and running. Among the common spring air conditioner maintenance tasks is topping off or replacing the refrigerant. The refrigerant used in HVAC systems manufactured before 2010 is a fluorocarbon known as R–22, or more commonly, Freon. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations began phasing out the use of R–22 refrigerant in 2010 with the goal of banning its use entirely by the year...

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dirty air filter

Getting The Most Out Of Your AC System, Follow These Steps

Summertime is upon us. That means it’s time to rely on the AC system for the summer months to make sure your house stays comfortable throughout the summer. One thing you shouldn’t do though is just turn on the AC system and go. There are a few steps to take to make certain that your AC system will work at full strength for the summer season. So what exactly are these steps? What should you do to protect your system...

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