HVAC Tips from Sears Heating and Cooling

Air Conditioner Keeps Turning On and Off. What's Going On? The weather is hot and your air conditioner can't make it's mind up of whether to run or not. What could be going on? AC Short Cycling The proper term for you air conditioner turning on and then off on a frequent basis is called "short-cycling". This frequent behavior can end up causing you higher than normal electric bills and it's also not good for your air conditioner.  With this being said, let's dive into some reasons for your air conditioner turning on and off so quickly. Low Refrigerant If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, it could cause short cycling to occur. Having low levels of refrigerant can cause your indoor and outdoor coil to freeze over and then turn off abruptly. If you are low on refrigerant, you have a leak somewhere in your system as your air conditioner is a closed loop system. Refrigerant is not like gas in a car. Unless your leak is fixed, any refrigerant you put in will just leak right back out again. Most leaks can be fixed temporarily, but it is never a permanent fix. Also, the substance used to fix a leak can be hard on your compressor.  Dirty Filters A dirty filter is one of the most common causes for both air conditioner and furnace breakdowns. If you have a standard 1 inch filter, these should be changed every 30 days or sooner if you have a lot of...

How Does An Air Conditioner Compressor Work? The compressor is one of the most important parts of your air conditioner. What is a compressor? Along with the evaporator coil and condenser that sits outside your home, your air conditioner compressor is one of the most important parts of your air conditioner. The compressors job is to convert low-pressure refrigerant in a gas state into a high-pressure, higher temperature gas prior to entering your condenser. Think of your compressor as the middleman between your condenser and evaporator coil. Without your compressor, your air conditioner would cease to function at all.  How Does The AC Compressor Work? When the R-22 or R410a leaves your evaporator coil inside, it is in a low-pressure state. In order for the refrigerant to be able to release the heat it absorbed from inside your home, it needs to be a higher temp than the outside air. This is where the compressors job comes in. The refrigerant enters your compressor via a suction line and is compressed very tightly together. By compressing the refrigerant, the temperature and pressure of it is raised. This compressed refrigerant leaves the compressor and flows out into the lines that wrap around the condenser. Because heat naturally goes from warm areas to cooler ones, the heat is transferred to the colder outside air. This cools the refrigerant back down and it heads back to your evaporator coil to repeat this process again. Compressor Repairs Compressor repairs and replacements are one of the...

What Is An Air Conditioner Capacitor? A blown capacitor is a common air conditioner breakdown, but what do they even do? Power Storage If you happen to know anything about electronic circuits, you'll know that an air conditioner capacitor is essentially one big battery. The capacitor stores an electric charge and then releases that charge as needed. The capacitor itself is made up of two metal plates and "dielectric material" in between them. When a voltage is created over the two metal plates, an electric field is created and stored inside. The energy stored is measured in "micro-farads". The capacitor also works with the air conditioner's contactor to supply power. Dual Run Capacitor Vs Start Run There are two popular types of capacitors available: dual run and start run. Below are some differences between them.     Dual Run Capacitor Uses charge stored within to boost the current (power) to the compressor and motors. Used to maintain a charge. Measure at approximately 7 to 9 micro farads. The capacitor must be matched to your air conditioner or it will not work properly. A dead capacitor can be the cause of an air conditioner not turning on.    Start Run Capacitor Contains a higher storage than a run capacitor. Usually measures between 70-120 micro farads Provides an extra push to get fan started. Why Do Capacitors Fail? Air conditioner capacitors can fail for a number of different electrical reasons but mostly it's just due to age. Most capacitors are capable of giving...

What's The Difference Between R-22 and R-410a? With R-22 due to be completely unavailable by 2020, R410a is taking over as the new refrigerant of choice. The Beginning of Change The change over of refrigerant from R22 to R410 actually started way back in 1992. Due to some environmental regulations that were put in place, many different countries decided to phase out the use of R-22 and replace it with R410a. R410a is more efficient and environmentally friendly than R-22.  Differences Between R-22 and R410a R-22 Erodes ozone layer of the earth. As of 2010, new air conditioners are not allowed to use R-22. Becoming extremely expensive as it is being phased out. Less efficient at absorbing heat making it less energy efficient. R-410a Used in new air conditioners as of 2010. Much cheaper to obtain than R-22. Better for the environment. Much more efficient at cooling making it more energy efficient. Requires the use of more durable air conditioner parts to work, which means less breakdowns. What This Means To You While R-22 is being phased out, it is still available for purchase in 2019. It is more expensive to obtain however. Don't be shocked to pay $400 or more for a simple R-22 repair in your air conditioner if it needs one. If your air conditioner is older than 10 years and is low on R-22 or needs an R-22 related repair, your best option is to schedule an estimate for a new air conditioner. If you are...

Does My AC Have A Refrigerant Leak? An air conditioner that is leaking refrigerant can cause major problems in keeping your home cool. Here are some popular signs that your air conditioner may be suffering from a refrigerant leak. Be advised that if your unit is low on refrigerant, it means you have a leak in your system somewhere. Refrigerant does not get used up like gas in a car. Also, it's important to know that R-22 is being phased out and replaced with R410a. R-22 units cannot use R410a, so a new unit is required. As of the year 2020, R-22 will no longer be available for purchase. Warm Air Coming From Air Vents If you feel nothing but warm air coming from your air vents, it could be a sign that your air conditioner is low on or leaking refrigerant. Be sure to check your furnace filter to verify it is clean first. A dirty air filter can restrict air flow and prevent cool air from properly cooling your home.  Water Leaking By Furnace A water leak from your evaporator coil can be a signal of a possible refrigerant leak. Half of your air conditioner (your evaporator coil) sits on top of your furnace. This piece of equipment is cooled by refrigerant. As the warm air from your home flows over it, it is cooled down. If your unit is low on refrigerant, a large amount of condensation can form on this coil and start a water leak....

Clogged Condensate Line: What Do I Do? A clogged condensate line can lead to quite the watery mess in your basement. Learn what you can do to stop it! Why Is Water Leaking? A clogged condensate line is a common air conditioner problem that many people have during hot weather. As your air conditioner removes the hot humid air from your home, water condensates on your evaporator coil that sits on top of your furnace. This water is then meant to fall into a condensate pan and then drain into the ground via a condensate drain line. However, sometimes these pans and drain lines can become clogged and you will start to see a puddle of water around your furnace.  Unclogging Your Condensate Drain Line There are a couple different options when it comes to unclogging your AC drain line. The most popular method is using a 50/50 mixture of hot water an vinegar and pouring this down the drain line to clean it out. It make take several tries, but this method will generally clean out small clogs. If you have a larger clog, you may need to resort to other methods such as removing the line itself and removing the clog manually. This can sometimes be done by yourself, but if the drain line clog is in a hard to reach location, it's time to call a professional HVAC company to remove it for you.  Preventing AC Drain Line Clogs Over time, it is normal for drain lines...

How Much Will It Cost Me to Run My Air Conditioner? The weather is hot and you're almost to the point that you don't care how much it costs, but let's take a look! The Cost Equation Although costs can vary, you can generally predict the cost of running your air conditioner by doing a little math! Disclaimer: the following is based on costs for Ohio homes and average electricity costs. If you live in a different state you may need to research your individual costs. Let's assume that you live here in Columbus, Ohio and you want to predict what it will cost to run your air conditioner. Let's say that it's REALLY hot out and your air conditioner runs for 10 hours per day (during a 24 hour period). Right now, the average cost per kilowatt hour of electricity in Columbus, Ohio is about 12.65 cents. Sounds cheap right? Well we have some bigger numbers we are about to throw in the equation. Important Equipment Numbers Needed Air conditioners are powered based on a measure of total amperage. Here's a basic breakdown: 2 Ton AC = 15 amps 3 Ton AC = 18 amps 4 Ton AC = 21 amps Also, we need to note that the standard power plug for an air conditioner is a standard 240 volts. If yours is different, adjust accordingly. Now, we need to calculate the total wattage utilized based on these numbers. So, let's do some math! We will use a standard 3 ton...

Can I Get an AC To Cool a Single Room? What are my options to cool a single room vs an entire house? Let's find out! If you recently added an addition to your home or have a room that you would like to cool or heat on a stand-alone basis, a single room air conditioner may be your best bet. Here are the most popular options. Ductless Mini-Split System These things are pretty cool! Not only can they keep a single room of your home cool in the summer, they can also provide it heat in the winter! It's basically a two-in-one unit. These units are not the cheapest things to have installed, but they can save you a boat load of money as opposed to having to have all new duct work ran to a new room of your home. The Mitsubishi Mini Split system is a great option for attics and recent room additions to a home such as a sun room or 4-season room. Standard Window Air Conditioner Window air conditioners are for the budget friendly consumer. They are generally cheap and can be self installed with not much effort or knowledge. Window air conditioners come in different sizes for different size rooms. Obviously, the higher the capacity, the more they cost. Most small units are built to cool a 100-300 sq ft room and the largest units can cool rooms as big as 1,000 sq ft. You can expect to spend anywhere from $150-$900 on...

Air Conditioner Making A Loud Noise When Running. What's Up? Is your air conditioner making some strange loud noises while running? Let's check out some possible causes of this non-sense! In general, your air conditioner should not be overly noisy while running. Sure, you will be able to hear the slight hum of the compressor and the condensor fan running, but it shouldn't be anything overly noticeable. If you are noticing louder than usual noises from your air conditioner, chances are it is having some issues. Here are a few areas that could be causing your noise problems. Loose or Broken Parts If you are noticing a loud banging noise coming from your air conditioner while it is running, there is a good chance that you may have a loose or broken part inside the condensor or compressor. Air conditioner compressors contain a crankshaft, connecting rod and a piston pin that could all cause noise issues if they begin to fail. A failed compressor is one of the most expensive AC repairs out there, so if you have an old air conditioner, you are better off just replacing it. Compressor replacements can easily climb to $1,500 or more. Blower Motor or Fan Out of Balance Your air conditioner's blower motor and fan are actually located in your furnace as they share the same air movement mechanisms. If your blower motor or fan blades come out of balance or shift somehow, you may notice a consistent clanking noise as the fan...

How To Minimize Dust In Your Home Here are some popular ways you can minimize the dust in your home. Have Your Carpets Cleaned Regularly Did you know that your carpets are your homes biggest air filter? Over time, the dust in the air falls to the ground and buries itself in the carpet fibers of your home. By vacuuming regularly and having your carpets cleaned professionally (hot water extraction) at least twice per year, you are well on your way to cutting down on the dust levels in your home. Set Your Thermostat Fan To "On" By setting your thermostat fan to "on", your furnace blower will run constantly and filter the air in your home. You may think that this would be expensive to leave it running, but it's actually not. Blower motors are designed for long and extended periods of time. If you are really looking to save money on energy bills, have a variable-speed motor installed. These motors run at different speeds as opposed to just an "on-off" setting. Change Your Bedding Dust and dust mites love to hide in your bedding and sheets. For dust (and sanitary) reasons, be sure to change or wash your bedding at least once per week. You can also encase your mattress and box spring in an allergy proof cover. Upgrade Your Furnace Filters Standard 1-inch filters are generally effective for removing dust from the air of your home, but there are much more efficient options out there. By having a...