Routine maintenance is the best thing you can do for your central air conditioner. A simple AC tune up can make a huge difference in the performance of your system. Annual tune ups keep your air conditioner running efficiently and extend its overall lifespan. Most Heating and Air Conditioning companies have a checklist that their technicians follow to be sure that every part is as it should be. Some of the most important things to be checked are:

Evaporator Coil. The evaporator coil will be thoroughly cleaned and checked for problems. When the evaporator coil gets dirty (and it will over time), it cannot absorb heat and produce cool air as it should. Replacing your filters often will keep more dirt out, but some will still get through. The evaporator coil should be cleaned each year by a professional before the onset of hot weather.

Condensate Drains. The condensate drains will be checked to be sure they are allowing moisture to drain out. The emergency drain pan will be checked to be sure it is not getting any overflow from the primary drain pan. If the condensate drains are not working properly, your house could become overly humid or water could leak into floors and walls.

Electrical Components. All electrical wires will be checked to be sure none are disconnected. All other electrical components will be checked for proper voltage and operation. If electrical wires are loose or disconnected, it effects the starting of the air conditioner. It can cause breakers to repeatedly trip or fuses to go out. It can also be a safety issue.

Ductwork. All of the ductwork needs to be checked for blockages. Blockages cause low air flow from the unit out through the vents, causing your home to cool slower than it should. Blocked ducts also cause low air flow into the unit which can cause ice to build up on the evaporator coil. The ducts also need to be checked for leaks. Leaky ducts cause the cool air to leak out into the attic or even outside where it won’t do any good toward cooling your home. Any of these problems mean your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home as well as it should.

Lubrication. All moving parts must be well lubricated for the air conditioner to work properly. This is something the technician will take care of during a routine tune up.

Blower. The blower needs to be cleaned and adjusted each year. If dirt and dust builds up in the blower, it won’t be able to take in enough air and may allow dirt and dust to get into the system and into your home.

Refrigerant. If the refrigerant level is low, the system will not be able to produce cool air. Part of a regular tune up should be to check the refrigerant level and refill it if necessary.

Yearly tune ups are a must for all central air conditioning systems. Alamance Oil Co. provides regular service to Burlington and the surrounding area. Have a technician from Alamance Oil Co. tune up your air conditioner before the weather gets hot.

You’ve made the choice to have central air conditioning installation take place. The next decisions you will need to make are what brand to install and who to hire to install it. These aspects are equally important because certain brands are known to have better performance, which is dependent upon proper installation. A study was done by consumersearch.com comparing brands of central air conditioning units based on consumer surveys. It was found that proper installation and maintenance is just as important as the brand of air conditioner.

The main brands are:

Lennox – which owns Ducane

Goodman – which makes Amana and Janitrol

York – which makes Coleman and Luxaire

Trane – which also makes American Standard

Carrier – which owns Bryant

Rheem – which owns Rudd

The main factor taken into account when comparing these brands is reliability. Consumers simply want their air conditioner to work properly and continue to do so. According to survey information these brands are about equally reliable.

Poor installation is more likely the reason behind the poor performance of the air conditioner. Most brands, including York and Lennox, have specific requirements for the technicians who install their products. This ensures that the air conditioning units are installed correctly for better performance and reliability. If you have a Goodman air conditioner installed by a reliable contractor it can perform just as well as any other brand.

So if these brands are mostly equal, how can you decide which air conditioner to buy? Some models stand out in consumer studies based on three criteria: efficiency, quietness, and warranty length.

Maytag M1200 PSA4BI iQ Drive – SEER rating of 24.5, extremely quiet (59 decibals), 12 year warranty, made the energystar.gov 2013 list of most efficient air conditioners

Dave Lennox Signature Collection, XC21 – SEER rating of 21.2, 10 year warranty, very quiet (69 decibals) XC17 – SEER of 18 and less expensive, same quietness and warranty

Carrier Infinity Series, 24ANA1 and 24ANB1 – SEER rating of 21, very quiet (65 decibals), warranty lasts 10 years if product is registered within 90 days of purchase, otherwise 5 years, known for humidity control

Trane XL20i – SEER rating of 20, warranty of 12 years for the compressor, 10 years for the rest, well known, well recommended brand known for being tough and long lasting

Rheem Prestige RASL-JEC/Ruud Ultra UASL-JEC – SEER rating of 19.5 but still included in the Energystar list of efficient air conditioners, 10 year parts warranty and 10 year conditional replacement warranty

Amana ASXC18 – SEER of 18, quiet (71 decibals), 10 year limited warranty on parts and Amana offers a lifetime limited warranty

Alamance Oil can install any of these top brands and models of air conditioners in the Burlington area. Qualified technicians will help you determine the best model for your home and install it correctly to ensure the best performance.

Efficiency is key when it comes to air conditioning. You don’t want your energy bill to be any higher than it needs to be. An AC tune up will go a long way to improving the efficiency of your air conditioner. And if you are not already, you should have a tune up done yearly to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. Routine maintenance will also help to avoid break downs and repairs.
What time of year should a tune up be done? The best time to have a tune up done is before the weather gets hot. In most cases that would be early springtime. Its best to make sure the system is going to run well the first time you need to turn it on. And you will save the most on energy costs if the system is running efficiently for the entire hot season. Most heating and air conditioning companies offer a combined service package that includes a check of your heating system in the fall and your air conditioner in the spring.

What will a tune up consist of? Technicians have a checklist they follow to check all parts of an air conditioner. The evaporator coil will be thoroughly cleaned. Filters will be changed or cleaned if not disposable. Electrical wiring and components will be reconnected and tightened. Condensate drains will be checked and cleared if there are any blockages. Thermostats will be checked to be sure they are working properly. Refrigerant levels will be checked and refilled if necessary. All moving parts will be thoroughly lubricated. The ductwork will be checked for blockages and leaks. The blower will be checked and cleaned. A few other minor checks and balances will be done to ensure the best performance from your air conditioner.

How much will a tune up cost? Most heating and air conditioning companies offer an annual maintenance package that includes two tune ups; one in the fall for your heat and one in the spring for your air conditioner. The fee depends upon the maintenance package you choose. The advantages of maintenance packages include reduced repair fees and priority service to name a few. The cost varies from one company to another, but whatever the fee, routine maintenance will save you money. You will save money on energy by keeping your air conditioner running efficiently. You will save money on repairs because your system won’t need repaired as often, and if it does, the fee you pay toward your maintenance plan will reduce your repair costs.

The benefits of an AC tune up are endless. Choose a reputable HVAC company to perform your routine tune ups. In Greensboro, that company should be Berico Heating and Air Conditioning. Berico has provided heating and air conditioning service to Greensboro and the surrounding area since 1924. Berico technicians have the training and experience necessary to give your air conditioner a complete tune up that will keep it running properly and efficiently.

If your air conditioner stops working in Burlington, NC during hot weather, it can be frustrating and miserable. There are various things that can go wrong with an air conditioning system but there are a few common problems that occur most often. It is best to call a professional repair company to diagnose and repair your AC system in Burlington. An accurate diagnosis and correct repair of the system is crucial to its performance and overall life span, and possibly upholding your warranty.

One common problem with air conditioning systems is faulty wiring. If the system is not properly wired it can repeatedly trip the circuit breaker or prevent the system from getting power. Most importantly, faulty wiring is a fire hazard and needs to be addressed and repaired immediately. Professional technicians are trained to check and properly wire air conditioning systems to ensure safety and prevent hazards.

Another problem that can occur is a refrigerant leak. The refrigerant is what cools the air, so if it seems the unit is running but the air coming out of the vents isn’t cool, then most likely the refrigerant is low. If the system is low on refrigerant it typically means there is a leak somewhere. A refrigerant leak is also an environmental hazard. A technician can locate and repair the leak and charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.

You may find that the outside fan has quit running. If this is the case then the hot hair from inside your house is not being transferred outside like it should be. This can cause the compressor to overheat and trip the safety overload. Worst case scenario it can cause permanent damage to the compressor. In most cases this can be repaired by a trained technician.
Sometimes the outside unit is simply not running. This can mean there is a lack of power to the unit. It can also be caused by a thermostat issue. It takes a professional to determine the cause and correct the problem.

If your filters become dirty or the ductwork becomes blocked, that lack of airflow can cause an internal coil to freeze. Usually a frozen coil is due to lack of air flow but can also be caused by low refrigerant. A professional will be able to find the reason and correct it.

The best way to combat against these issues is to obtain a routine maintenance package from a reliable repair company. Alamance Oil Company offers routine maintenance and service plans to the Burlington area. There are various packages available to suit individual needs. Maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and efficiently. A technician will give your system an annual tune-up to make sure the system is working to its full potential. When you keep your system at top performance it extends the life of your system and keeps your energy costs low. We also offer 24 hour emergency service so you can call any time, day or night, if your system fails. Call Alamance Oil Company at 336-226-9371 or visit our website at www.berico.com.

AC Replacement in Reidsville and Eden NC

To repair or replace? How do you know when it’s time to stop repairing your air conditioner and replace it with a new one? The best way to decide is to call a professional repair company. Trained technicians can diagnose your system and suggest the best course of action. But there are a few things you can look for that may mean your air conditioner needs to be replaced.

One thing to consider is the age of your system. Air conditioners can last for 15 or 20 years, but if your unit is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider replacement. Older systems are not as efficient as newer systems are. A newer, more efficient system uses less energy and will save you money. Another consideration with the age of your air conditioner is the type of refrigerant it uses. Older systems use Freon, which is being phased out by the federal government and being replaced by a new type of refrigerant that is more energy efficient. Eventually all air conditioners will use the new refrigerant and Freon will not be available for refilling old systems.

If your home is not cooling consistently, it may be time to replace your air conditioner in Reidsville, NC. You may find that some rooms are cool and others are not. It may seem that it takes too long for your home to cool down to the desired temperature. It may also seem that your system is running constantly to keep your home cool, which is a sign that your system is not working properly. And constant running will cause your system to wear out faster, making replacement inevitable.

Another sign that your air conditioner may be on its last legs is excessive noise. If your system is making more noise than usual, it is usually a sign that there are problems such as disconnected parts or a worn out motor. These things may be able to be repaired, but sometimes the cost of repairs is more than the cost of a new system. If your air conditioner needs repairs often, the cost will add up and you may find that you will save more money in the long run by replacing your system. A professional can help you to make this decision by evaluating the condition of your system.

Sometimes the problem is not with the performance of your air conditioner, but with the size. If the air conditioner is too small for the size of your home, it will not be able to do its job. Air conditioners are matched to homes based on the square footage that needs to be cooled. An air conditioner that is too small will not be able to keep your home at the desired temperature. Some rooms may be cooler than others and you may find that the humidity level is too high. If your air conditioner is too small for your home, consider upgrading to a bigger system.

If you need a technician to evaluate your air conditioner, Carolina Fuels is available in Eden and Reidsville. Trained technicians can repair or replace your system 24 hours a day. Call 336-623-9741 or visit our website: www.berico.com.