When your air conditioner completely stops working, it’s obvious that it needs repair. But there are some more subtle signs that you need HVAC service in Burlington. These signs may be less noticeable, but catching them early can mean the difference between an easy repair and complete system replacement. Be on the lookout for the three “U”s of HVAC symptoms.

Unusual Noises. Is your AC making more noise than usual? Do you hear rattling or banging? It could be that something is loose and interfering with the fan or causing the outdoor unit to vibrate on the surface it’s sitting on. Do you hear the system turn on and off repeatedly? That can be a sign of a variety of problems. Do you hear the whir of electricity as the system attempts to start up but fails to get going? It could be an electrical or other related problem. The bottom line is this: if you hear anything unusual related to your HVAC system, it may be time for service.

Unpleasant Odors. If you notice an unusual smell and it seems to be coming from your vents, you may have a problem. First of all, what kind of a smell is it? A musty odor could indicate mold or mildew growing in your system or ducts due to excess moisture from a drainage issue or other problem. A burning smell could mean an electrical issue or friction from parts rubbing together that shouldn’t be. Any number of odd smells can be generated from a poorly operating air conditioner. Contact Alamance Oil, your HVAC service in Burlington, to get to the source of the smell.

Uneven Cooling. Are you starting to notice that some rooms in your home are cooler than others? Of course, it’s normal for a dark basement room to feel cooler than an upstairs bedroom with the sun streaming through the windows. But when the temperature seems inconsistent throughout your home whether it’s day or night, it’s often a sign of a poorly functioning air conditioner. It may be an issue with insufficient airflow through the system. It’s possible the refrigerant is low due to a leak. It may even be that the system is too small for the size of the home it is trying to cool. Whatever the reason, uneven cooling is a sign that service is past due.

Prevent the Three “U”s with Regular HVAC Service in your Burlington Home

Before any of these problems occur, you can prevent them with routine maintenance. HVAC systems need periodic service just like cars or any other working machine. Once you notice strange sounds or smells it may be too late for a quick fix. Instead, you’re looking at expensive repairs or possibly whole system replacement, which may have been prevented by having your system tuned up every year. Preventative maintenance is recommended by your HVAC service in Burlington to be scheduled once in the spring for your AC and once in the fall for your furnace. Sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement with Alamance Oil and your maintenance appointments will be automatically handled. Call (336) 226-9371 to keep your HVAC system running well throughout the year.

Going green can have many meanings. Some people are simply trying to save a little energy. Others want to lessen their overall carbon footprint on the earth. Whatever your green goals are, your HVAC system is a great place to start. Heating and cooling make up about half of the total energy used by the average American household. What if you could reduce that number by half? Imagine what a difference that would make to the earth and to your budget. Here’s what may surprise you: one of the easiest things you can do to reduce the amount of energy your HVAC system uses is to schedule yearly maintenance on your HVAC system. Not only will this help conserve energy, but it will also help keep your system running smoothly and alleviate the need for full-blown AC repair in Eden. Consider the following energy-saving measures.

• Upgrade to a high-efficiency HVAC system. Not all air conditioners are created equal. Each one is assigned a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the machine. If your system is more than 8 years old, upgrading could save you significant energy and money.
• Schedule yearly AC maintenance. Keeping your system tuned up allows it to run as efficiently as possible. Scheduling bi-annual maintenance is an excellent way to save energy. And if your system breaks and you need AC repair in Eden, Carolina Fuels will inspect, clean, and lubricate your unit in addition to repairing it, so that it is in top energy efficient shape.
• Inspect/increase your insulation. Your home’s insulation can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your HVAC system. You may have leaks or areas where the insulation is thin in your home and not even know it. Carolina Fuels offers free energy audits that pinpoint the areas where air may be leaking in or out of your home. Patch up these areas and your home will be much more eco-friendly.
• Have your ductwork inspected for leaks. Another possible leaky area is your ducts. The professionals at Carolina Fuels can inspect your ductwork for leaks, clean them out thoroughly, and repair any places where air is seeping in or out.
• Use landscaping to your advantage. Trees and other greenery offers valuable shade for your home in the summertime that can help to lower the indoor temperature. Natural shade means your home stays cooler and your AC will run less often, not to mention the beauty of the natural landscape in your yard.
• Upgrading also means earth-friendly refrigerant. Older air conditioners used a certain type of Freon called R-22. This type is being phased out because of the ozone damage it caused. By upgrading to a new AC unit, you are reducing the strain on the ozone layer.

Go Green and Save with Carolina Fuels, Top Choice for HVAC Maintenance and AC Repair in Eden

Going green not only benefits the Earth, but it saves you money as well. Your monthly energy bills will be lower, especially during the height of summer when temperatures peak. Upgrading to a high-efficiency AC will pay for itself in just a few years of operation, especially when you keep it well maintained with regular maintenance. To schedule maintenance or get a free quote on a new high-efficiency HVAC system, call Carolina Fuels: (336) 623-9741.

Is your air conditioner failing to keep your home cool? Usually, you will first notice that your AC is running constantly but not getting down to the temperature you’ve set on your thermostat. When you go outside and check the outdoor unit, you find ice, which seems odd on a hot summer day. It is odd, and it means that your air conditioner is not working properly. It’s time to call for AC repair in Greensboro.

What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze?

There are a few possible causes of ice on your outdoor AC unit. These possibilities include:

• Dirty filters. If your filters are clogged with dust, then the proper amount of air isn’t getting through. Without proper airflow over the evaporator coil, your system may actually get too cold and freeze up. Check your filters first and replace them if they are dirty. Then see if airflow increases. If so, that was likely the problem and your system may thaw out on its own. But keep a vigilant watch for the next few days for any other signs of damage.
• Low refrigerant. When the refrigerant level in the coil is low, it can cause ice to form because it isn’t able to absorb enough heat. Low refrigerant is typically due to a leak which will need to be repaired by your local HVAC technician.
• • Blocked drainage tube. Air conditioners generate moisture that needs to be drained through a tube. When that tube becomes blocked, the extra moisture in the system can cause ice to form. Call your HVAC service to check your drainage tube and remove the blockage.
• Broken thermostat. It’s possible that your thermostat is not working properly. If the thermostat is not able to accurately measure the indoor temperature, it could cause your system to run double time and possibly freeze over. Berico can test your thermostat and either repair it or replace it.
• Faulty fan. If the fan is broken or not blowing with enough force, it causes the same airflow problem that dirty filters do. When airflow is low, the system can freeze up.

Call for AC Repair in Greensboro if you Notice Ice on your AC Unit

Ice on your AC unit is never normal on a hot summer day. It’s always best to have a professional HVAC technician take a look at your system when something isn’t right. Even if you change your filters or unblock your own drainage tube, both are an indication that it has been too long since you’ve had professional maintenance. Regular tune-ups will keep your system running efficiently and help you avoid unexpected AC problems. Filter replacement, drainage system maintenance, and a long list of other checks and balances should be performed yearly as part of routine AC repair in Greensboro. Not only will you save money on energy bills, but you’ll avoid expensive repairs and emergency or after hours fees. If your air conditioner is frozen over or if it’s been a while since your HVAC system has been tuned up, call Berico at (336) 313-0466.

Have you started to notice an unusual odor coming from your air conditioner? At first, you may wonder if it’s really something new, or if it’s something you’ve never noticed before. But no, it persists and you know it’s not normal. It may be time to call your HVAC company for AC repair in Reidsville. 

How to Identify the Smell and the Cause 

If your air conditioner smells like: 

• Mildew. If the smell is musty, like mildew or mold, that is likely exactly what you have growing somewhere in your AC unit. This should be addressed immediately. Mold and mildew can cause all sorts of health problems from allergies to more serious respiratory issues. Your HVAC company can remove the mold and repair the source of excess moisture in your system that is likely the cause. 
• Stinky feet. If the smell coming from your AC smells like dirty socks or stinky feet, this is another indication of a moisture issue. Your filters may be dirty or your drainage system clogged, causing too much moisture or standing water in your AC unit that eventually starts to smell like sweaty feet. Call your HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the problem.  
• Burning. If you notice any type of burning smell, sometimes similar to gunpowder or an electrical burning smell, turn off your system immediately and call a heating and cooling expert. The smell could be from a variety of issues from a burned out motor to an electrical wiring problem. Take extreme caution in this situation and call an HVAC professional immediately.  
• Exhaust. It may seem odd to smell exhaust fumes, similar to that of a car, coming from your AC unit. But the motor for a central air system requires similar fluids to run and when these leak out, it can smell just like a car engine. This is not normal and requires professional AC repair in Reidsville.  
• Rotting. Unfortunately, this is most likely just as it smells. There is probably a dead animal somewhere in your system or ductwork that needs to be removed. Call an HVAC technician who has the training to get into your air conditioner or ducts without causing damage.  

Freshen Up your Home with AC Repair in Reidsville 

Does it seem like your home doesn’t smell fresh? If the air is stale or you’ve noticed strange odors lately and can’t find the cause, it’s likely that your air conditioner needs a tune-up. Regular maintenance keeps your AC running smoothly and efficiently, which prevents bad smells and other problems. HVAC experts recommend AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall. In between these tune-ups, you can change your filters monthly or quarterly to keep dirt and dust out of your system and ensure proper air flow. In addition to keeping odors at bay, you will save money on your energy bills.  

Looking for a way to make your indoor air fresher and healthier? Try an air purification system. Easily installed in your current central air system, an air purifier will remove fine particles from the air inside your home and even create new clean air molecules to keep your home smelling fresh year round.  

Call Carolina Fuels for AC repair in Reidsville: (336) 273-8663.  

Because most newer homes have pretty standard HVAC systems installed, the average homeowner may think they know all there is to know about using one. However, there are a lot of myths floating around about heating and cooling systems that need to be busted once and for all. Alamance Oil wants you to know the truth so you can avoid expensive AC repair for your Burlington home. 

Myth 1: You Only Need to Change your Filters Once a Year. 

How often do you change your HVAC filters? Every year as part of your spring cleaning regimen? If that’s the only time you replace your old dusty filters, you could be causing unnecessary harm to your central air system. Clogged filters don’t allow the intake vents to pull in the air your HVAC system needs in order to operate properly. Dirty filters will also let extra dirt and dust get into your system which lowers its efficiency. Changing your filters twice a year is good, changing them quarterly is better, and changing them monthly is best.  

Myth 2: An Energy Efficient HVAC System Automatically Saves you Money.  

False. An energy efficient system will maximize energy usage, meaning your energy bills should be lower, right? Not necessarily. Other factors affect your energy bills such as insulation and other sources of energy usage in the home. It is also important to select the right size HVAC system for your home. Always consult a reliable company that offers services such as AC repair, maintenance, and replacement, to recommend the best system for your home.  

Myth 3: Closing the Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy. 

This is one of the most harmful myths about HVAC systems. Closing vents in certain rooms will not save energy. In fact it will cause problems with your system by causing the air pressure to become unbalanced. Your AC will struggle to keep proper airflow throughout your home and the system itself and could even cause leaks in the ductwork.  

Myth 4: HVAC Maintenance is a Scam.  

Wrong. The truth is, HVAC companies make more money off of customers who call for emergency repairs or those who need their systems replaced more often because of lack of maintenance. By paying a minimal yearly fee for a maintenance agreement with your HVAC company you avoid emergency repairs, save on your monthly energy bill, and get many more good years out of your heating and cooling system.  

Save Money by Avoiding Extensive AC Repair in Burlington 

Now that you know the truth about some of the most common HVAC myths, you can avoid pitfalls, save money, and stay comfortable in your home. Alamance Oil offers a Comfort and Protection Service Plan for twice-yearly AC repair in Burlington to keep your system running efficiently. Call (336) 226-9371.