Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Signs Indicating That You May be in Need of Air Conditioning Repair This Spring


While it may feel like winter wasn’t too long ago, the fact is that summer is already around the corner and your air conditioner will be the number one resource in keeping your home comfortable in the weeks to come! This makes it critical that you have any necessary repairs performed on your air conditioner now so that you do not encounter any surprises this summer. Yet, how will you know if your system needs repairs? Here are a few signs that you can look out for when you start running your air conditioner this spring, indicating that your system may need repairs. 

It is Blowing Hot Air


One of the clearest indicators that your air conditioner needs repairs is if you feel warm air blowing out of the vents when it shouldn't be. If you check that your system is set to cool and the thermostat is set to a low enough temperature but your system is still blowing warm air, then it is likely a compressor issue, or some other problem, is preventing your AC from making cold air. You will need to have your system professionally inspected and repaired in order to address the problem.   

There Are Unusual Sounds


When you start running your air conditioner, you will also want to listen for any strange or unusual sounds. Squealing, grating, or grinding noises coming from your AC are not normal and indicate severe problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible in order to prevent the unit from breaking down. These noises can indicate a variety of problems such as a belt that has slipped out of place or a broken component within your air conditioner.    

Your System Cycles Frequently


In order to keep your home comfortable, your air conditioner will cycle on occasionally to maintain the temperature within your home; however, your system should not cycle on and off on a constant basis. If you notice that your air conditioner is cycling constantly, this indicates that it is struggling to cool your home properly and will need to be repaired or replaced.

Have questions about your air conditioning? Don’t hesitate to contact our team here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. – we’ll make sure that you keep cool!

Friday, April 12, 2019

How a Thermostat Affects your HVAC System

Think of the thermostat as the brain of your system. It’s rather cool as you’re given the power to connect and monitor the exact temperature of your home throughout the day, right? It’s great to have this control at your fingertips; which is why when your thermostat is having issues, it not only affects your comfort level, it also affects the whole system in a big way.

One of the most common issues that a malfunctioning thermostat can manifest is short cycling. This means that the system doesn't run the full cycle, it instead just kicks on and then shortly turns off. This can be caused by a system too big for your house where it pushes out air too quickly rather than the standard gradual cooling.

Sometimes short cycling is caused by miscalibration. This means that the thermostat thinks it is warmer or cooler inside your home than it actually is. Luckily, if it is a calibration issue, this is a rather quick and painless fix for your HVAC technician. If short cycling is caused by an actual malfunction, then unfortunately your thermostat may need to be replaced.

Yet, many homeowners should think of a thermostat replacement as an exciting opportunity! Thermostat technology has progressed so much further than just a tiny dial on the wall. If you have gotten into creating an energy efficient home, a thermostat can play a huge part. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that will adjust the temperature for you based on your own unique living habits.

Do you have questions on thermostats? Please feel free to contact our team here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. – we'd love to hear from you!