Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Repair’

Is Your Air Conditioner’s Capacitors Giving You Trouble?

Monday, October 10th, 2016

Now is typically the time that we get a good amount of service calls regarding AC system breakdowns and repairs. By this time, summer has kept temperatures high for several months, putting your system through a good amount of wear and tear.

Over time, individual components of your air conditioning system are prone to cracks and other damage due to the continuous stress and strain. One set of components in particular that you should be worried about are the capacitors, essential for the AC system to function at all. Diagnosing problems with your AC capacitor is something that should be left to the professionals, however we’ve shared below some of the signs that you may be able to spot fairly easily.

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What Qualifies As an Air Conditioning Emergency?

Monday, September 12th, 2016

Given the recent severe weather, it likely doesn’t come as surprise that many people are discovering their outdoor AC units suffered damage. And of course if your air conditioner stops running, it’s a big deal. But what if it’s just a little symptomatic? Should you be concerned?

After a storm of this size impacting our weather, yes, you should be worried if your AC is suddenly showing signs of malfunction. But what exactly qualifies as an emergency—when should you give us a call?

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3 Ways You May Be Accidentally Damaging Your Air Conditioning System

Monday, July 13th, 2015

When it’s summer in Florida, air conditioning systems will put in some serious overtime to keep homes cool and comfortable. You don’t need us to explain to you how important the central AC in your house is during these hottest months of the year. But perhaps you may need some help to keep the air conditioner from encountering troubles with malfunctions and drops in efficiency. There are some ways that you may be damaging your air conditioner and not even know it. Here are three to watch out for this summer—and every summer to come.

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What Is “Hard Starting” in an Air Conditioning System?

Monday, June 29th, 2015

One of the more common problems that can affect an air conditioner during a period such as the summer when it does steady work is hard starting. This is when the air conditioner’s motors encounter difficulty beginning the cooling cycle. The motors may be damaged or receiving low voltage; the problem could also originate in the start capacitor or within the compressor.

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Can I Still Run My Air Conditioning System if It Loses Refrigerant?

Monday, June 15th, 2015

One of the more common malfunctions an AC can encounter is a leak that allows its refrigerant to escape. Refrigerant is the heat transference fluid that allows an air conditioner to absorb heat from inside a home, cooling it down and then exhausting the heat to the outside. Your air conditioner has a set level of refrigerant inside it, referred to as the AC’s charge. This level will not lower over the air conditioner’s lifetime… unless it develops a leak.

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3 Reasons Your Air Conditioning Is Short Cycling

Monday, May 11th, 2015

Short-cycling is a condition that occurs when an air conditioner’s compressor turns on and off rapidly, never completing a full cooling cycling. Short-cycling is extremely damaging for an air conditioner, and it affects comfort in a home and raises energy bills. Because the AC uses a large amount of power to turn on each time, short-cycling places enormous stress on the components and will cause electrical costs to skyrocket. And since the AC will not stay on long enough to distribute sufficient cool air through a house, short-cycling will create hot spots in rooms and general discomfort.

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What Are the Differences Between Heat Pump and Air Conditioning Repair?

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

Heat pumps and air conditioners can seem like very different systems, but the truth is that, in cooling mode, a heat pump is an air conditioner. Contrary to popular belief, air conditioners don’t cool by pushing cold air into a space; they remove the heat and humidity from that space. Heat pumps also transfer heat, which is how they are similar to air conditioners. The main difference between the two systems is that a heat pump can also provide heat. But whether you need heat pump or air conditioning repair in Navarre, FL one thing is for sure: you should call the trained specialists at Kool Breeze for all your AC repairs.

The Differences in Repair

Both central AC systems and heat pumps have a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator, and both use refrigerant. As such, repairs to these parts are the same. The differences have to do with the heating mode, and more specifically, with the components that help with that:

  • Problems with the reversing valve – the reversing valve in a heat pump is what allows it to switch modes from heating to cooling. One of the more common problems with the reversing valve is that it can get stuck in a certain position, which essentially freezes the operation of the pump. The valve can get stuck in either one of the modes, or in between. Sometimes a stuck valve can be repaired, but sometimes full replacement is necessary.
  • Problems with pressurization – high and low pressure in the reversing valve helps move the slide that switches between heating and cooling modes. Pressure problems are typically triggered by issues with the compressor, a refrigerant leak or a dirty air filter. These problems can alter the pressure and cause problems with operation of the heat pump.

Whether you have a heat pump or a traditional central air conditioner, the most important aspect to any air conditioning repair is to hire a professional with the knowledge and expertise to get the job done correctly. If you are experiencing issues with your AC, call Kool Breeze today and schedule an appointment.

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Are There Any Air Conditioning Repair Jobs I Can Do on My Own?

Thursday, July 31st, 2014

Our current culture has an obsession with “do-it-yourself” jobs. Much of this is due to the rise of the Internet and the easy spread of information regarding how to perform tasks that were once mysterious to non-professionals.

Although DIY work can make for an interesting hobby, it is inappropriate for many jobs that require more than just a checklist printed up from an amateur webpage. One of these jobs that needs a trained professional is air conditioning repair. The complexity of current ACs is far too much for most people to handle fixing malfunctions without training.

If you are experiencing issues with your cooling system thus summer, call for air conditioning repair in Pensacola Beach, FL from Kool Breeze. We have the experience, training, and equipment to handle the necessary repairs fast and right.

But Can I Do Anything About the AC on My Own?

With regards to opening up either the indoor or outdoor air conditioner cabinet and attempting to fix anything… no, you can’t take care of an AC repairs. The operation of the system is too intricate, and repairs often require having the right type of replacement part.

However, there are a few things you can do when your AC shows signs of failure that may help, or perhaps identify a simple cause for the problem.

  • First, check the air filter. This filter need to be changed (or cleaned, if it is a permanent filter) once a month during seasons when your AC runs regularly. If it becomes clogged, it can result in a drop in airflow that will create extra strain on the system. Sometimes changing a clogged filter is all you need to do to get back system operation.
  • You can also look into the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is set correctly; a simple error in programming a digital thermostat can result in the system behaving erratically. The thermostat could also be malfunctioning, and this will require professional repairs.
  • Find all the vents in your home and check to see that they aren’t blocked or partially obstructed. Sometimes this can account for uneven heating for an AC working too hard. Also look around the outside cabinet to see if any large object has blocked it.

If you cannot find a basic solution to the AC’s problems from the above inspections, then it’s time to call for the professionals to track down what is causing the air conditioner to act up and then fix it.

It’s easy to find quality air conditioning repair in Pensacola Beach, FL. You only have to call Kool Breeze and talk to our expert technicians. Our staff is on call 24 hours a day for emergency service.

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3 Ways to Detect a Refrigerant Leak

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

One of the more common problems that an air conditioning system can encounter is a leak along the refrigerant lines. As refrigerant leaks out, it drops the set “charge” in the system, which must remain at this level for the AC to work correctly. A loss of refrigerant will mean a loss in cooling ability for the system, and it will also cause problems such as a frozen coil and even serious, irreparable damage to the compressor when it starts to overheat. When leaks begin, they need immediate repair from specialists, followed by a recharging of the system to the correct refrigerant level.

You cannot fix this problem on your own: although signs of leaks are often obvious (loss of cooling, iced evaporator coil, hissing sounds), locating the often tiny leaks themselves can be tricky. Here are three way that our Pensacola Beach, FL air conditioning repair specialists at Kool Breeze handle finding refrigerant leaks.

  1. Electronic detectors: In the HVAC world, these are usually called “sniffers,” and are the most common device used to pinpoint refrigerant leaks. Sniffers generate a high voltage spark that will drop in voltage when it encounters an insulating gas—such as R-410A, the refrigerant blend used in most modern air conditioners. The technicians run the sniffer along the refrigerant line until registering a large drop in voltage.
  2. Fluorescent detection: Fluorescent lights are helpful in picking out the otherwise hard to see escaping refrigerant gas. The technicians first add a fluorescent dye into the air conditioner’s system, and then scan UV lights over the AC. The leaking gas will appear as green.
  3. Bubble solution: This is an old technique that was around long before using UV lights and high voltage detectors. It doesn’t work for very small leaks, but technicians may use it if they suspect a large leak. Using squeeze bottles, the technicians apply a soapy solution along the area of the refrigerant lines where they think leaks may be. The escaping gas should create bubbles from the soap.

Although you could potentially try a crude version of the third method on your own, you still wouldn’t be able to fix the problem. Once the air conditioning experts have located the leaks, they will seal them up. Afterwards, they will recharge the system with the appropriate amount of refrigerant to replace what was lost. It’s important that they use both the right type of refrigerant and do not under- or overfill the system.

At the first suspicion of refrigerant leaks, call our team at Kool Breeze for air conditioning repair service in Pensacola Beach, FL. We are ready to assist you…24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give a us a call today.

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Common Air Conditioning Repairs in Florida

Saturday, April 12th, 2014

Considering how much use and abuse our air conditioners endure on a daily basis, it’s hardly surprising to learn that they will require air conditioning repair at some point. Let’s not mince words. Your AC will break down eventually. The trick is to be prepared for problems when they happen, and to avoid them wherever possible. Professional installation is critical in this respect, as is a program of routine maintenance carried out by a trained technician. However, no matter what type of air conditioner you have and how well it is maintained, there will come a time when it needs to be fixed or replaced.

Catching the signs of potential air conditioning repair in Navarre early on is the best way to avoid further damage. While any diagnosis must be completed in person by a qualified technician, there are some signs to look out for.  Here is a handful so that you can keep a watchful eye on your HVAC system.

  • Weird sounds. Does your AC sound monstrous when it kicks on? Does your cooling seem to create a lot of hissing and whistling noises? Don’t settle for such distractions. If your air conditioner makes any noise out of the ordinary, then it should be cause for concern. While it’s true that it may be a quirk in your system and relative benign, it could also indicate that you’re losing cool air through a tear in the ducts that’s driving up your energy bills, or that one of your fan blades is damaged.
  • High energy consumption. Keep your eyes glued to that energy bill every month, especially during the most expensive time of the year. Does it seem unusually high? If you notice an abrupt rise in your energy bill without a corresponding increase in cooling usage or the rate at which you purchase electricity, then it could mean you have a problem with your AC, including low levels of refrigerant.
  • Uneven or inadequate cooling. Don’t settle for anything less than your comfort. If you find that your cooling system fails to meet your needs, then don’t hesitate to give us a call.

The experts at Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. offer excellent air conditioning repair services in Navarre and beyond. Call us anytime, day or night. 

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