DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Your “Guide” to AC Installation

Monday, August 1st, 2022

We all know just how hot it can be here in this part of California, especially during the summer. Therefore, you deserve to own a great air conditioning system to keep you and your family cool and comfortable all season long! If you own a not-so-great system or if you’re having an AC installed for the first time, you’re in luck!

To get you started, we have provided our quick guide to AC installation in Modesto, CA. Of course, it is always best to contact a professional for the installation of your new air conditioner, especially since we will know how to match it to your specific home and needs for maximum efficacy and efficiency. That said, we’re sharing this guide with you not as a “how-to” instruction, but as a guide to why it’s important to trust a professional for the job!

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3 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Cooling System

Monday, July 4th, 2022
two-techs-working-on-ac

Do you know how long your air conditioner is designed to last? This could be a bit of a trick question since it’s dependent on one really big factor–maintenance.

The standard air conditioner should have professional maintenance done at least once a year, and if you have a year-round heat pump system, maintenance should be done twice a year. So long as this schedule is followed, then your air conditioner should theoretically have a useful service life of 10-15 years.

Of course, that does mean that eventually, you’ll have to replace the system. But how do you know when that time has come? Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs that your air conditioner may need an upgrade sooner rather than later.

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It’s Never Too Late For This AC Service…

Monday, June 6th, 2022
two-technicians-working-on-outdoor-ac-unit

When it comes to maintenance, our customers and other homeowners assume that there is only one time to get it done, and if you miss that window, you have to wait until the following year. This is just not the case! Yes, we recommend air conditioning maintenance in the spring. The reason for this is because it’s before you’ll need your system the most, and because our HVAC technicians are generally less busy with emergency calls, so you can schedule your maintenance session at your earliest convenience.

But, unless your air conditioner has completely broken down and is beyond the state of repair, it’s never actually too late to schedule AC maintenance. In fact, consistency matters more than the time of the year. It’s important that an air conditioner receive a professional tune-up at least once a year. If you have a heat pump system, which operates year-round to provide you with effective cooling and heating, then this service should be done once every 6 months.

Why is this consistent service so important though?

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5 Unusual Sounds Your Air Conditioner Should Never Make

Monday, May 23rd, 2022
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-hear

When your air conditioner is on and running, it makes a few sounds that are completely normal. Most sounds happen as your unit is starting up or turning off. Noises that are minimal don’t usually signal that anything is wrong, but other sounds can be cause for concern. If you’re not sure about the sounds coming from your AC unit, always get it checked out.

As a general rule, there are five sounds that your AC unit should never make. Hearing an unusual sound is a sign that something is wrong, and you should reach out to a professional as soon as you can. A certified technician has the expertise to identify the problem and fix it. Ignoring concerns can lead to permanent damage to your air conditioning unit.

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The Problem with Believing This One Refrigerant Myth

Monday, April 25th, 2022
two-technicians-working-on-air-conditioner

We don’t expect the average homeowners to know very much about the intricate components of their air conditioner. We do, however, expect the average homeowner to want their system to work as efficiently and effectively as possible, which is why it’s important to know what myths about your air conditioner can actually hurt its performance.

One of these myths is about refrigerant. The common misconception is that refrigerant is a fuel that “runs out.” This is not the case, though! your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant upon manufacturing to ideally last its entire useful service life. If your system is losing refrigerant, it means you have a leak. Read on to learn more!

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“How Often Should I Change My HVAC Air Filter?”

Monday, April 11th, 2022
dirty-air-filter-being-pulled-out-of-hvac-system

There is a common misconception about the air filter that comes standard with your air conditioning and heating systems–that it is in place to protect your indoor air quality. It certainly doesn’t hurt your indoor air quality, but its purpose is actually to protect the HVAC systems themselves from dirt, dust, and other debris that can get inside and harm their sensitive components, causing friction, overheating, and airflow resistance.

That said, it’s important that you change the air filter on a regular basis, but how regular? A general rule of thumb is every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter and the level of contaminants or particles in your home. We’ll elaborate more on this below, as well as just why it is so important to change that filter on a routine basis.

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“How Can I Boost My AC Efficiency This Year?”

Monday, March 28th, 2022
outside-ac-units

If you’ve lived in our climate for even just a year, then you know how important it is to have a powerful and effective air conditioner. But what about the expense of running one? While the cost of electricity isn’t in our control, we can certainly help you with some tips to utilize your air conditioner more efficiently.

There aren’t many things we’ll tell you to do on your own when it comes to servicing your air conditioner–for good reason, it’s for your safety as well as the integrity of your cooling system–there are some things you can do to help your system work more efficiently and cost less.

Of course, our first tip is going to be to schedule maintenance. Professional maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, adjust, and clean the components of your air conditioner that need it. We recommend this service once a year–twice a year if you have a heat pump system. Now, onto the other tips for boosting AC efficiency!

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Avoid Cooling System Problems with This Important Service!

Monday, March 14th, 2022
two-techs-working-on-air-conditioner

Spring is a vital time of the year for an HVAC contractor. Why? Because it’s when we get to provide one of the most important services there is for your air conditioner–maintenance! And in a place that gets as warm as Modesto, this is an essential need.

The reason we recommend this service now is because it’s before you need your system the most. Having maintenance done now gives your system the best chance to get through this summer and the summers to come as reliably as possible! Read on as we uncover what professional AC maintenance will grant you.

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Beware These Common End-Of-Season AC Repair Needs

Monday, October 11th, 2021
two-techs-working-on-outdoor-ac-unit

It’s officially Fall, and while we can still likely expect some heatwaves throughout the rest of the year–after all, it is California–it’s just about time to turn our attention to our heating systems. In fact, it’s never too early to schedule heating system maintenance, if you haven’t done so already!

That said, it’s likely you have been using your AC system pretty consistently over the last few months. The absolute last thing you need now is an unexpected breakdown or huge repair issue when you still need your system.

We have some good news, fortunately! Most AC repair needs show very clear symptoms well before these issues cause your air conditioner to break down. So if you notice any of these symptoms, you can give us a call right away. Once repaired, you can rely on your air conditioner not only for the rest of our warm weather. but when you need it as temperatures warm up again next spring.

Remember, you shouldn’t ever try to formally diagnose or repair a faulty air conditioner on your own. There are potentially harmful components involved, such as the chemical refrigerant. But you can be diligent and give us a call if you notice any of these troubling AC repair signs:

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The Troubles With Old AC Units

Monday, September 6th, 2021
air-conditioner-with-dirty-coils

We encourage our customers to invest in energy-efficient heating and air conditioning equipment in Modesto, CA for their homes. The newest high-efficiency air conditioners can make a tremendous difference in how much energy a house uses and also helps the home lower its impact on the environment. 

We also recommend people upgrade to this new equipment because we know too many homes that keep their air conditioners far longer than they should. Letting an air conditioner sit in place years after it should normally retire leads to numerous problems and unnecessarily high costs. 

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