DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

Sizing Your AC: Why Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better

Monday, July 4th, 2016

When it comes to the system that you use to cool your home during the hottest time of the year, you may just assume that investing in the biggest, most powerful AC that you can afford is your best course of action. Now, you obviously don’t want an air conditioner that is too small to successfully cool your home. However, you must also keep in mind the fact that an oversized air conditioning system is really no better than an undersized system.

Read on, and remember to schedule your cooling load calculation with a member of our staff. We’ll make sure that you have an appropriate air conditioner in Bolingbrook, IL.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Bolingbrook
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Why Is There Ice on My Air Conditioner?

Monday, June 20th, 2016

The last thing that you want to encounter during the hottest time of the year is a serious problem with your home cooling system. Even if your air conditioner is up and running, it may be suffering from issues that will prevent it from operating as efficiently, effectively and reliably as possible. That is why it is so important that you take note of any irregularities with your system, and that you contact a trained, professional AC technician the moment that you think there may be trouble brewing. If you notice ice developing on your air conditioner in Bolingbrook, IL, contact us right away.

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What’s Behind My Inefficient Cooling?

Monday, April 25th, 2016

Temperatures may be breaking into the low 70’s here and there, but we certainly are not yet embroiled in the hottest time of the year currently. Before long, though, we will be, and you don’t want to discover that your air conditioner is costing a small fortune just to cool your home effectively when that time arrives. Even if you have a highly efficient system in place, though, there are plenty of issues that can cause your system to cool your home at reduced efficiency levels. In the following post, you’ll learn about some of the more common causes of inefficient cooling. Contact a member of our staff to schedule any necessary AC services in Bolingbrook, IL.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Bolingbrook
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AC Component Quiz: What Is a Capacitor?

Monday, April 11th, 2016

We are not really going to quiz you on this, as the fact of the matter is that most residential property owners are not familiar with mechanical components within their air conditioners, such as their capacitors. There’s really no reason for you to be, as you are not going to be working on your air conditioner yourself. Even so, we think it’s a good idea for all homeowners to have a basic understanding of how their home cooling systems work, which is why we’d like to take this opportunity to give you the low down on capacitors.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Bolingbrook
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What Is SEER and Why Does It Matter?

Monday, June 29th, 2015

It’s important to know how energy efficient your air conditioner is, and the best way to assess this is by checking its SEER number. SEER is to air conditioning systems what AFUE is to heating systems: it tells you the energy efficiency of your unit. While AFUE is presented as a percentage, SEER is a ratio number based on a scale that runs from 1 to 23+. Whether you have an existing air conditioner, are installing one for the first time or need a replacement system, it’s important to know how your air conditioner is using energy.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Bolingbrook IL
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Is Zone Control Air Conditioning Right for My Home?

Monday, April 27th, 2015

Zone control air conditioning systems offer a number of advantages over non-zoned centralized systems. Here in Bolingbrook, IL, summer is on its way, and now is the perfect time to consider an upgrade or replacement to a zone control system. “But is zone control air conditioning right for my home?” we hear you ask. That depends, and you should always consult an expert before pulling the trigger. But here are a few things to think about while considering a zone control system.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Bolingbrook IL, Zone Control System
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Late Season Repairs for Air Conditioning in Plainfield

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

Odds are, you’ve been running your air conditioner in Plainfield full-time for the last 2-3 months. That’s a lot of work for your air conditioner, and you may see some problems develop as a result of use. It’s normal for air conditioning problems to crop up during peak usage periods, and any signs of developing issues shouldn’t be ignored. Calling for a technician sooner rather than later is always advisable, and DuAll Heating & Cooling is here 24/7 to help you with your air conditioning in Plainfield.

Common Late Season Problems

As with any mechanical device, multiple things can go wrong with your air conditioner, but toward the end of summer, we see certain repairs more frequently than others:

Refrigerant leaks

Refrigerant is a chemical in your air conditioning system that helps with the transfer of heat. It circulates constantly, changing from liquid to gas and back again, releasing heat as it goes. Refrigerant is not consumed by your system, so low refrigerant usually means there is a leak. Your AC is built to function with a specific level of refrigerant, so if that level is altered in any way, it affects how your air conditioner operates. Refrigerant leaks can develop for a number of reasons, but the bottom line is that they need to be repaired, and repaired by a professional.

Worn Components

Normal wear-and-tear can wear out small components like fan belts and wiring, and loosen bolts to motor mounts and fan blades. These small issues can be easily resolved with a repair appointment, but, if left unchecked, they can cause bigger, more expensive problems.

Dirty Coils

There are two sets of coils in your air conditioner: the condenser coils and the evaporator coils. During normal use, these coils can become coated with dust and dirt; if allowed to build, this coating can become a layer that acts as insulation which inhibits the heat release process of the coils. Eventually, this imbalance will affect how your system operates. Cleaning dirty coils before they become an issue can help stave off repairs that could develop in the future from excessive dirt and dust.

Don’t Wait to Make Summer-End Repairs

Repairs do not get better with time, and in fact, may very well become worse, especially if they sit through a cold winter. Get ahead of your summer-end repairs today by contacting DuAll Heating & Cooling. Give us a call today to schedule your next AC repair.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Plainfield
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3 Advantages of Zoning Systems

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

A zoning system is a method of dividing your home into separate sections, each with its own set of controls to adjust the heat and air conditioning systems. With centralized system, zone controls consist of a series of valves and seals in the ducts to direct the air flow. With ductless mini-split systems, zone control is usually a de facto reality, since the system involves numerous smaller units spaced throughout the home. When it comes to air conditioning, Romeoville IL residents should explore all their options, and zoning systems offer some tangible benefits that are often worth the cost of installation.

3 advantages of zoning systems that you should consider

Flexibility. Say you’re cooking in the kitchen over a hot stove. Another family member is reading in the living room. Zoning systems allow you to increase the air conditioner in the kitchen to help keep you comfortable, while letting the other family member maintain a warmer temperature in the living room: ensuring that you both feel cozy.
Savings. Zone control systems allow you to shut off the heat or air conditioning in parts of the home you aren’t using, which can save you a great deal in monthly energy expenses.
Longevity. Because zone control systems reduce the load on your heating and air conditioning system, they help your system last longer and reduce the risk of repairs. Again, the inferred savings might even be enough to offset the cost of installation, depending on the specifics.

Zoning systems are a standard option that many air conditioning companies can install, but as always, you want to choose a company with the skills and experience to do the job right. When it comes to air conditioning, Romeoville IL residents have a tried and true option in DuAll Heating & Cooling. We know the advantages of zoning systems and we can help you find the type of zone controls that are right for your home.

Our trained technicians can go through all of your options with you, then perform the installation with courtesy and pride. Give us a call today to make an appointment.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Romeoville
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Why Is My Air Conditioner Making a Weird Noise?

Monday, September 30th, 2013

The sound that an air conditioner makes during regular operation can provide soothing white noise: it’s a sound we are very accustomed to hearing during the summer and on into fall. But if a strange or unpleasant sound starts to interrupt your AC’s relaxing hum, it’s more than noise pollution. It might be a red flag that your system needs repairs. If an air conditioner making weird sounds is left without attention, it could lead to worse problems, causing a loss of cooling ability, increased energy bills, or even a complete breakdown.

Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling when you have concerns about your air conditioning in Naperville, IL. We’ll find out what is causing the strange sounds and get your AC the repairs it needs.

Here are some possible culprits for unexpected AC noises:

Compressor problems

If the sound you hear is a grinding noise, then the compressor that sends refrigerant through the air conditioner might be struggling. This can happen because of overwork or damaged wiring. You won’t get any cooling from your AC if the compressor fails; it will need to be fixed or replaced. The grinding noise may point to other problems—such as a refrigerant leak—so get professional help analyzing the problem.

Failing capacitor

The start capacitor sends the voltage to the motors that gets them running when the air conditioner turns on, and the run capacitor keeps them working. If you hear clicking or odd humming noises from your AC, one of the capacitors may be failing. Because of the risk of a high voltage shock, do not attempt to tamper with capacitors yourself.

Trouble with the blower motor

If something goes awry with the blower motor, you’ll hear a noise similar to what you would hear from a bad car engine. The fan belt may have developed cracks or come loose and started rubbing against other components. If left unrepaired, this will cause further damage to the AC’s interior. Even if you have experience fixing car fan belts, blower motors in air conditioners are another matter and will require assistance.

It’s crucial to act on troublesome noises from your air conditioner as soon as possible. Because of the many different causes that might lie behind the weird sounds, it will take HVAC experts to correctly diagnose and repair the problem. Don’t hesitate to call DuAll Heating & Cooling when strange noises—or anything else unusual—starts to affect your air conditioning in Naperville, IL.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Naperville
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Why Is My Air Conditioning System So Loud?

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Few things are as irritating as a loud noise emitting from one of your home appliances. You should expect a reasonable amount of noise during your air conditioner’s operation, but a particularly loud or unusual sound is often an indication that something has gone wrong with your system itself. We have seen a wide variety of issues in our time, but a loud noise is one of the most frequent signs that a problem with your AC should be fixed. If you find that your air conditioning system has become noisy, then you should call for professional air conditioning services in Naperville, IL from DuAll Heating & Cooling.

Let’s take a look at few different loud noises that may frustrate your cooling experience as well as their possible causes:

Banging. If you find that your AC emits a banging noise, it could be a strong indication that there is some kind of loose part within your system. This is probably responsible for the metal-on-metal sound. But another possible cause is a bent or damage part whose deformed shape is now hitting an adjacent component. For example, your AC may have a bent fan blade that now hits the interior surface of the unit as it spins.
Buzzing. If you hear a loud buzzing noise emitting from your AC, then it could be an indication that your system has an electrical problem. This is potentially hazardous so it’s best not to tamper with any parts on your own. It’s far better to ensure that your AC is serviced by a professional. Electrical “arcing” can be hazardous to your home and your health.
Grinding. If you hear a grinding noise, you should shut off your AC and call for professional assistance. This is likely an indication of dried-out bearings, whether at the blower motor or somewhere else. It’s an indication that there is something seriously wrong with system, and continuing to operate it could potentially lead to serious damage and major component replacement.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today for all of your air conditioning repair needs in Naperville, IL., or learn more about our company.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Naperville
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