Basic AC Unit Maintenance Items

Many air conditioning Dallas services will tell you that your air conditioning unit, much more like your car, needs to be in constant maintenance and regularly checked for possible issues. Your AC unit works for longer hours than what you might think, and it has to be regularly maintained to keep it running in good condition.

To keep your AC unit properly functional, there are several basic procedures from the Environmental Protection Agency which you can carry out on your own. All Dallas heating and air companies follow these, so you can be assured that your cooling system will be on its maximum working condition and will last for a longer time.

-Check if the air filters inside the house are free of dirts and dusts. Dirty air filters prevent clean air from flowing regularly into the system which could greatly affect your AC unit’s performance. You might even replace your filters if necessary.

-Remove the thermostat cover and wipe away every dirt and dust which have built up in the bimetal coil. It can be located by searching for a round metal which is usually placed under the thermostat. Dallas hvac companies recommend that you use a soft brush or a soft, clean cloth to wipe dirt and dust away. A dirty coil usually forces the unit to run longer to make the air cool, which in turn will lead to faster breakdown of your unit along with a surge in your electric bills.

-Make sure that all electrical connections are properly secured. Calling for a professional to deal with this action is recommended.

-Remove dirts and water from the drain pan once it has been filled up. This will cause damage and issues of overflowing water if not given proper attention.

-Check your unit’s compressor at least once every year. By placing a carpenter’s leveling tool on top of the unit, you can possibly determine if it is on the right level or not. An unleveled compressor can have a great effect on your unit’s efficiency, and could give you problems of huge electric bills as well.

Basic maintenance of your AC unit prevents any further damages from occuring. While most of the major issues are better left to the hands of the professionals, doing basic DIY maintenance could ensure that your AC unit is in good running condition all of the time.

Good information for choosing a central air unit

Just about all Dallas air conditioning companies recommend that if you’re looking to buy a new central air conditioning unit there are two main types that you should consider. A conventional central AC unit works by drawing hot air into the ducts where it is cooled and returned to the room. This unit generally consists of two parts one containing the compressor and condenser which are stored outside. The other part houses the evaporator and may be placed either inside or come as part of the outside unit.

Secondly, heating and air Dallas services can install a  ductless AC unit. The compressor is connected to a series of separate units each housing an evaporator and fan. Each unit is placed on the wall of a different room so that each room can be cooled. A ductless AC is more expensive than a conventional AC, however, it is perfect if a house doesn’t already have air ducts installed. This process can be costly so it may be cheaper in the end to purchase a ductless AC.

There are some other considerations to take into account when choosing an AC. First of all you need to make sure you get the right size for your home. An AC that’s too large will cause damp and will in general create too cold an atmosphere. If you get a unit that’s too small it will struggle to maintain the correct temperature which often leads to faults. When purchasing a new ac unit, call an air conditioning Dallas professional to help you work these considerations out.

The efficiency of a unit is also an important factor as the higher the efficiency the lower your bills will be. Getting a highly efficient unit could cut your energy bills by massive amounts. It’s easy to work out how efficient a unit is due to Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). This is a number that should appear on all AC’s with the highest numbers indicating the most efficient units

Why it’s important to clean you ac unit coils

Ask any Dallas heating and air professional; they will tell you that clean coils can significantly improve the efficiency of your air condtioning unit. On the other hand, dirty coils can be a real hassle that causes expensive problems with your home’s AC unit. For a starters, having dirty AC coils will increase the cost of running your AC.  Dallas hvac experts say this is because a dirty coil cannot transfer heat effectively meaning more energy is required. The compressor must work much harder which increases the temperature of the system. All of this results in a nearly 30% drop in the AC’s cooling capabilities. It’s been found that having clean coils can actually reduce the cost of running by nearly 40%.

If this isn’t enough of a reason to get your AC’s coils cleaned, then consider the very high cost of getting a replacement AC unit. This is an expense that no one wants to deal with and it can be avoided for much longer than you might expect. By having clean coils, your AC unit is likely to last much longer and work more efficiently during it’s lifespan. Dirty coils leads to more stress on the unit which can lead to acid formation and cause a compressor burnout. This is a hugely expensive problem that requires the installation of an entirely new compressor. All of this can be avoided simply by having a heating and air Dallas professional perform regular maintenance on your AC unit to keep the coils clean. This may seem like a lot of effort but in the long run it will save you a lot of money.

One final reason to keep your coils clean is the quality of air that you breathe in your home. A dirty evaporator coil can be a breeding ground for mould and harmful bacteria. By avoiding cleaning your AC coils you could be badly affecting your health. Just take the time to clean your AC coils and not only will you save money you’ll also improve you air quality and your health.

Common reasons your ac unit freezes up in the summer

There are a few reasons why your AC unit might be freezing up and Dallas air conditioning experts say most can be avoided with easy maintenance. If your unit has stopped working, the first thing to do is to check both the indoor (air handler) and outdoor (condensing unit) sections of your AC unit. If the outer section is working but not the indoor section, it could be that the motor for the air handler has frozen up. If this has occurred, heating and air Dallas experts recommend that you leave your AC off until the unit seems to have completely thawed. Doing this will make it a lot easier to determine what the problem actually is.

The most common problem by far is having a dirty air filter. Dirty air filters tend to restrict air flow through the unit which causes a build up of cold air near the motor and coils causing them to freeze. A simple change of the air filter can prolong the life of your AC unit, as well as better ensure that it runs smoothly and doesn’t regularly break down. A dirty air filter can lead the dirt to be sucked further into the AC resulting in dirty coils. This again reduces the air flow and causes your AC to freeze up more frequently. If your AC seems to be freezing up all the time then this is likely the issue.

Something that probably will require you to find the best Dallas air conditioning service  is if the refrigerant charge is low. This can only occur if there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system. This is notoriously difficult to locate which is why it’s probably best left to the professionals. One final thing you can do to prevent problems with your AC is to keep the room that houses the unit clear of clutter and boxes. Often the AC room is used as storage and this can block the AC’s access to a good air flow. By keeping rooms clear of boxes you can help keep your AC running smoothly.

Helpful Cedar Roofing Information

Cedar roofings have been proven to provide optimum protection during weather extremes such as heavy snow and hail storms. Apart from the protection they give, these are also found to be very durable and could withstand heavy winds of speeds beyond 130 miles per hour without receiving any damage.

Just about all Atlanta roofing contractors claim that the durability and protection that cedar roofings provide are also the same attributes which help in insulating your home and preventing cool air from escaping during summer and warm air during winter. During a cedar roof installation, the two most preferred choices by the many, both residential and industrial purposes, are cedar shingles and cedar shakes. Though they are made from the same material, they do differ from their usage and appearance.

Learning the difference between cedar shingles and shakes

Cedar shingles have a more finished look as compared to cedar shakes. These are made through wood blocks which have been cut through a saw and usually have a smoother surface. Shingles provide a more refined look with a classy appeal, thus making it suitable to a wide range of styles. Installation of cedar shingles are more tailored as compared to shakes and provide a highly durable protection for extreme weathers.

On the other hand, cedar shakes have a more unfinished look since the material is split by hand. However, most modern cedar shakes are made through machines and are made to appear like it has been split manually. Atlanta roofing professionals say that cedar shakes are generally thicker than shingles and have a rough texture and rustic appearance during installation.

Based on their functions, Atlanta roofing companies say the main difference between cedar shingles and shakes is that shingles have a more precised finish than shakes. During the installation process, shakes are more likely to be penetrated by strong winds since they don’t lay flat as compared to shingles.

Cedar shakes and shingles don’t have a great difference with their prices. The only thing that distinguishes them is their appearance and how they are to be used on purpose.

It’s time to replace your roof when…

You don’t need an Atlanta roofing company to tell you that there are a number of signs that replacing the roof is a task that is close at hand. Nobody really wants to get their roof replaced, but by getting it done when it needs to be,you hopefully won’t end up with a leak and costly repairs. The first thing that can be looked for is discolouration on the ceiling. This can take the form of smalls dark dots or the drywall may be chalking and flaking. Either way, this is a pretty sure sign that something is wrong.

Keep an eye out for the ceiling sagging as well as any wet or darkened wood. Bear in mind that rafters can cause the water to pool well away from the actual leak so you may need to do some detective work to find the source. Spotting any of these signs probably means you need to think about calling a roofing Atlanta company to inquire about replacing your roof pretty soon.

There are some other clear signs that can be seen from the outside of the roof. The most obvious of these is shingle loss, a shingle roof will lose huge amounts of granules towards the end of its life. If you notice the granules shedding at a faster rate than normal, it could be a sign that this roof is past its best. The shedding of granules will expose more of the roof to the weather and cause more damage which will increase granule loss. Many roofers Atlanta claim this is a dangerous cycle which will result in a severely damaged roof if it’s not dealt with early on.

Granule loss is not the only sign that shingles might need replacing. If there are any dips in the shingles this could suggest that rot is occurring in the sheathing of your roof. Whilst if shingles are lifting up and buckling it may be a sign that water has gotten underneath the shingles. Shingles need a flat surface to work best and either of these problems is a sign that a new roof may be in order.

Advantages of metal roofing for your home

Metal roofing may be more expensive than regular roofing but, Atlanta roofing companies recommend it because it’s stronger and more resilient. As a result of this, metal roofs perform much better in all situations regardless of the type of weather that’s encountered. Metal roofing has shown itself to hold up better not only under normal weather conditions but in the most extreme weather as well. Metal roofing remains strong against rain snow and even fire. Many coastal areas prone to high winds are using testing criteria which shows metal roofing to be the best at withstanding these weather conditions.

Metal roofing is also generally lighter than its counterparts. This means that less support is needed to make the roof secure and roofing Atlanta service will tell you that this reduces installation costs. Also the reflective nature of metal roofing allows heat to be absorbed as well as reflected which will help to keep expensive heating and air conditioning bills down.

Many people are put off metal roofing by how they believe it will end up looking. However, Atlanta roofing contractors now offer a huge variety of colors and styles of metal roofing so you can decide exactly how you want your roof to look. As well as this a metal roof will last a lot longer than a shingle roof. Shingles need to be constantly replaced and this is expensive and bad for the environment. With only a small amount of maintenance a metal roof will last for years and will need very few repairs.

Finally in this modern day everyone wants to try to do their bit for the environment. A metal roof can be laid over the top of an existing shingle roof. Not only does this save from leaving your previous roof in a landfill site, it can also save money and energy. A layer of insulation can be laid between the old roof and the new metal roof. This will really help to conserve heat and that will save energy as well as lower your energy bills.

Tips before you say “yes” to a roofer

Many Atlanta roofing contractors are marketing themselves aggressively these days. This includes storm chasers who will drive to an area affected by a storm and start knocking on doors offering to do the work. These types of roofers in Atlanta should be avoided as they are often just working out of a van. Also beware of contractors offering discounted rates as they may not complete the work at all. The following tips will help you to hire a good reputable and local contractor to do the work properly.
Begin by requesting multiple quotes from different Atlanta roofing companies as this will allow you to compare prices between different enterprises. Also, ask for a breakdown of the costs so you can see exactly where the prices differ and why they differ. Keep in mind that when comparing apples to apples, cheaper isn’t necessarily better and there could be other hidden costs involved if one estimate is significantly lower.

Another great tip is to make sure to and check the work history of any contractor you might hire. The Better Business Bureau should have a record of the contractor that will give you an idea of their track record and whether they can be trusted. Also check the companies licensing status. They may not be licensed to work in your area or on a job as large as the one you require. By checking licenses you can at least know you’re getting someone that’s legally allowed to do the job.

Ask for references of previous work done in the area. This will show you if they have successful jobs behind them and you can even go and look at the work if it’s nearby. You’ll find out pretty quickly that they’re not legitimate if there is no evidence of any completed projects. Finally only ever sign a contract that you’re completely sure about. Check that your insurance can cover any repair work and make sure you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to before you sign. It may seem like a lot to remember but by following these tips you can find a contractor that’s worth hiring.