Professional Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Metairie’

How Do Thermostats Help with Energy Efficiency?

Friday, August 22nd, 2014

Your air conditioner is one of the most important conveniences in your home, but the cost to keep it running in the summer is sometimes surprising. During the summer, cooling costs rise, and it may seem as if the only way to reduce your bills is by shutting off your system entirely. While you could replace your AC with one that is more efficient, this is an unnecessary expense if your air conditioner has not reached its expected lifespan. So what can you do?

A new thermostat may be the best way for you to enjoy a more efficient air conditioner today, without the hassle of replacement. Here are some of the options available in Metairie for new thermostats that can increase the efficiency of your air conditioning system and keep you and your family more comfortable.

Digital Thermostats

Manual thermostats contain dials that may be difficult to set properly. Many homeowners end up setting the thermostat lower than is necessary in order to compensate for the lack of accuracy. However, even a few degrees of difference can increase your bills significantly. A digital thermostat has a clearer display for both precision cooling and efficiency.

Programmable Thermostats

Many digital thermostats are also programmable. When you leave the house, you may feel as though you should keep your air conditioner switched on so that you are greeted with cool air when you return. With a programmable thermostat, you can save money by programming the system to turn on 30 minutes before your arrival instead.

Smart Thermostats

One of the newest innovations in heating and air conditioning technology is the smart thermostat. Smart thermostats have many different features, including the ability to control your air conditioner from a distance. Adjust the temperature from your computer at home. Or, when you’re away from the home, use a mobile device to control your system and receive updates.

A new thermostat can increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit well before it’s time for air conditioning replacement. The technicians at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning offer installation on new thermostats for your air conditioning system in Metairie. Call us today!

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Signs of Compressor Problems in Your Air Conditioner

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

The core of an air conditioning system is the compressor. Although all the components in an AC are important for its operation, the compressor performs the function that sets in motion the cooling action of the whole system. Without it, an AC is nothing more than a large fan.

Compressor problems are therefore some of the most serious that can occur to an AC, and when they start you need to move fast to have the issues repaired. If professional repair technicians catch the problems in time, they can usually save the compressor. If the compressor burns out, however, it often means that the whole air conditioner must be replaced.

How can you tell there are compressor problems in your AC? Here’s a list of some of the warning signs. Call immediately for repairs for your air conditioner in Metairie, LA when these start up. You can reach A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning any time of the day or night for these emergency repairs.

Groaning, grinding sounds

These sounds are indicators of some type of mechanical difficulty occurring inside the air conditioner, often with one of the motors. If these sounds come from the outdoor condenser cabinet—where the compressor is housed—there is a high chance that they come from the motor that runs the compressor. Have the motor either repaired or replaced before it stops running the compressor. The mechanical fault could be in the compressor itself, and this needs immediate attention.

Lowered cooling power

The compressor is what provides energy to the refrigerant, turning the chemical blend into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas to start the heat exchange cycle. If the compressor starts to fail, the cooling power of the AC will also begin to fail. If you notice a drop in cooling even though the fans seem to be working fine, you need technicians to look into the issue right away.

Hard starting

“Hard starting” is a condition where the compressor experiences trouble starting the heat exchange cycle when it receives the signal from the thermostat to turn on. The compressor will stutter as it starts up, then come on for a short time before prematurely shutting off again. This is probably due to electrical issues with the capacitors, but it will place strain on the compressor that could lead to serious damage. Technicians can attach a “hard start kit” to overcome this problem, or they may change the capacitors.

As we stated above, compressor troubles are nothing to ignore or take lightly. Call for the most skilled technicians you can find when you suspect a malfunctioning compressor.

At A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning in Metairie, LA, we aim for 100% satisfaction on every job, and we can help to protect your compressor and your valuable summer cooling.

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Ways to Keep Your Air Conditioning Reliable This Summer

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

When the summer heat starts, your air conditioning will become as important to your daily comfort as your indoor plumbing and hot water. The same way that you expect water to come from a tap when you turn the handle, you expect your air conditioning to supply cooled air whenever it comes on. There are ways you can make you air conditioning as reliable as your home plumbing, and we’ll look at some of the important precautionary steps for this summer.

Just as you should always turn to professional plumbers for your pipes, you should always turn to professional AC technicians when you have trouble keeping cool. You can reach skilled experts at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning 24-hours a day when you need assistance with air conditioning in Metairie, LA.

Tips for Making Sure Your AC Keeps Working Well This Summer

  • Schedule Annual Maintenance: Air conditioners need to have a regular maintenance inspection and tune-up once a year, and if at all possible you should take care of it before the heavy summer heat arrives. This is the best way to shield your air conditioning from malfunctions, break downs, and inefficient performance. Maintenance does not take long with a skilled technician on the job, and the service pays back in years of reliable air conditioning.
  • Change The Air Filter Once A Month: One of the simplest mistakes that homeowners make with ACs—and perhaps the most common—is to neglect to change the air filter regularly during the cooling season. The air filter protects the interior of the AC from particles pulled in through the return vents. But should it become clogged, it will turn into a hindrance that cuts off air flow and forces the AC to overwork. Eventually, this may even cause icing across the coils, one of the worst problems an air conditioner can face. But if you change the filter once a month during the summer (or as long as you regularly use the AC) you should have few problems from it.
  • Avoid Overstressing The System: The more you run an air conditioner, the faster it wears down and risks repair needs. You can lower your AC use without sacrificing quality: instead of keeping the system turned down as low as possible, bump it up about 8°F (72°F is comfortable for most people). This change not only means an AC that isn’t running unnecessarily to reach a low temperature, it will also mean savings.

Start with AC maintenance right now with a call to A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. Our professional tune-up will ready your air conditioning system in Metairie, LA for the challenges of summer. Our skilled and experienced staff looks forward to helping your home stay cool.

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Warning Signs That You May Need Air Conditioning Repairs

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

Spring is the perfect time to repair your air conditioner, especially if it seems like something may be off. As the property owner, you know your system best – have you heard or seen something that doesn’t seem normal? Not sure what you are hearing or seeing? Every system provides warnings when things are headed south, so let this list from A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning help you identify some of the warning signs that your air conditioner may be in need of repair. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning for quality air conditioning repair service in Metairie, LA.

Here’s a List for Potential Warning Signs

Strange Sounds

There are normal sounds your air conditioning system makes – such as a steady hum -when the unit is running. Other sounds, like clunking, banging, squealing or screeching, are not typical sounds and may indicate a problem. If you hear such sounds, call specialist to inspect it as soon as possible.

Thermostat Issues

Your home should cool evenly. If you experience one room being much colder or hotter than another, you may have an issue with your thermostat; the same goes for excessive cycling of your system. Your thermostat helps run you AC efficiently. If it’s off, you may start to see that in the form of higher energy bills. Don’t let your thermostat cost you money – call an air conditioning repair technician to check the problem.

Low Air Flow

Does the air flow seem light? Several potential problems can cause a decrease in air flow, from debris in the air ducts to a problematic compressor. Because a number of things can cause decreased air flow, it’s best to let a professional technician determine what is causing the problem.

Unpleasant Smell

The air from your air conditioner should be fresh. If you notice an odor when the system comes on, such as mold or mildew, it’s time for a professional inspection and cleaning. Left alone, these smells will continue to circulate through your property, delivering to your indoor spaces both the odor and the microbes causing it.

Total Lack of Cool Air

If you turn your system on and get nothing but warm air, you may have a problem with your compressor. Compressors are an important part of your system and require professional training for repairs. Warm air can be indicative of other problems as well, so make sure a trained specialist handles the repair work.

Schedule an Appointment for Air Conditioning Repair Service with A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning

Your air conditioning system is an important part of your home’s overall value; if you have a warning sign it may not be running properly, don’t ignore it. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule air conditioning repair service in Metairie today. We can handle any repairs you’re A/C system may need.

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Air Conditioning Issues to Treat Before Summer

Monday, March 31st, 2014

We are starting to emerge into full spring weather now, with the temperatures climbing up from the 50s and into the 70s. Summer is around the corner, and before you know it you’ll have your air conditioner humming away and keeping you cool.

Or will you…? What if your air conditioning isn’t fortified for the big summer heat? If your air conditioning was struggling or showing signs of malfunctions the last time it was running, then now is the time to attend to any repair needs to make sure that your AC won’t break down in summer and leave you sweating on a hot day, waiting for emergency repairs. Do a test run on your system now and see if anything seems wrong. If something feels amiss, get a jump on repairs right away.

For fast and effective air conditioning repair service in Metairie, LA, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning.

Here are some issues you should contact us about:

  • Strange clicking sounds from the cabinet: Clicking noises usually indicate trouble with the start capacitor, the device that sends an electric charge to the motors to catalyze them. This clicking sound means the AC is “hard starting” and draining more power as it comes on. Have a technician replace the failing capacitor before it fizzles completely.
  • Water leaking: During the time the air conditioner was on vacation, the condensate drain could have become plugged with mold or other obstructions. When the condensate drain is blocked, it will quickly cause the condensate pan to overflow as water drips from the condenser coils. Call for repairs to clear and then reconnect the drain line.
  • Icing on the indoor coils: If you notice any frost developing along the indoor coils, it isn’t just an effect of cool air. It can mean that the air conditioner has lost refrigerant or the coils are excessively dirty. Repair technicians can track down and seal the leak, then recharge the refrigerant, or remove the coil to clean it. (Do not scrape off the ice; this will do no good.)

Have maintenance done as well

Spring is when you should schedule your yearly maintenance visit from an HVAC professional to make sure your air conditioner is running in top condition. This is the best way to catch repair issues before they grow more serious. Your technician will identify what needs to be done and can sometimes perform the repairs on the spot.

A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning has 24-hour emergency service available when you need air conditioning repair in Metairie, LA. Look into our maintenance program as well to help armor your AC for the summer.

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How Practical Are Heat Pumps for Heating in Metairie?

Thursday, March 13th, 2014

For the warm summers and mild winters of Metairie, LA, a heat pump offers a number of attractive features. Heat pumps combine the power of an air conditioner and heater in one unit, which makes them automatically beneficial as two-in-one systems. However, heat pumps are not always the best choice for a particular region (unless installed as a hybrid with a back-up heater), and even in regions where they are practical, they aren’t always the best choice for an individual home.

We’ll take a more detailed look at heat pump operation to see how practical they are for Metairie, LA heating and if your home specifically will benefit from their advantages. For more information, as well as to schedule an appointment to discuss heat pump installation, contact A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today.

Heat pumps: How they work, what they can do for you

A heat pump uses the same operating principle as an air conditioner: refrigerant circulates through the unit, going through a cycle of evaporation and condensation to move heat from one location and puts it in another. The heat pump adds the ability to switch the direction the refrigerant flows, using a reversing valve. This means that the heat pump can both remove heat from the indoors and put it outdoors (air conditioning) and remove heat from the outdoors and put it indoors (heating).

If you’re immediate thought is, “How does a heat pump extract heat from the cold outdoors to warm up a home during the winter?”, then you’ve latched onto one of the potential drawbacks of a heat pump. In general, a heat pump works less effectively in heating mode than in cooling mode. However, heat pumps only experience difficulties with efficiency when the outdoor temperature drops below freezing. Otherwise, there is a sufficient amount of heat even in cool weather to provide enough warmth for the indoors. In a place like Metairie, which rarely experiences extreme cold, the warmth from a heat pump is enough to keep most homes warm.

Heat pumps will save you money on heating compared to a furnace. Heat pumps only use a small amount of electricity to run their mechanical components to move heat from outdoors to indoors. Furnaces, on the other hand, must expend a large amount of fuel to create heat. Switching from a furnace to a heat pump in an area without extreme colds can result in savings of up to 30% off heating bills each year.

Is a heat pump right for your home?

You will need to have heat pump installers to help you answer this question. The insulation of your home, its size, access to power, and other factors will determine how efficiently a heat pump will work for your cooling and heating in Metairie, LA. Call up A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning to get started: we’ll help you decide if you’ll benefit from a heat pump, and provide you a quality installation.

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Reasons to Move Your Thermostat

Sunday, February 2nd, 2014

The small size and basic operation of a thermostat often deceives homeowners into thinking they are less important to their heating than they actually are. The thermostat is not only a control center that gives you access to how your heater and air conditioner operate, it also measures the heat in your home (usually through a device called a thermistor, although older models use mercury sensors) to gauge when to turn the HVAC systems and theirs fans on and off.

You need to take care of your thermostat so you have the best climate control possible in your home. For heating repair service in Matairie, LA, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning any time of the day or night.

Because the thermostat senses temperature, it’s placement in your home is crucial for it to record accurate readings and provide precision control over the HVAC system. If you are experiencing uneven behavior from your heater or AC that doesn’t seem to stem from a mechanical failure, you should check on the position of the thermostat and ask yourself these questions:

Is the thermostat often in direct sunlight?

The radiant heat from direct sunlight can raise the temperature of an object many degrees above room temperature. If your thermostat is in a position where sunlight from a window falls across it for long stretches, it will record temperatures higher than it should (“phantom readings”), which will lead to it either shutting off the heater prematurely or running the AC for too long.

Is the thermostat near drafts?

A thermostat that is adjacent to windows that are often open, or near to a door that opens to the outside, drafts of colder air will affect its readings and lead to inaccurate temperatures from the HVAC system.

Is the thermostat too far from the center of the house?

With a central heater and AC, it’s important for the thermostat to sense the average temperature of a home to provide accurate information to the HVAC system. The farther from the center of the house the thermostat is located, the more anomalous temperatures it will record. This will turn into a vicious cycle, since the heater and AC will run inaccurately, leading to the thermostat recording further erroneous readings.

If you answer “yes” to any of the above, you should call professionals to move the thermostat to a better position. The wall outside the master bedroom is often one of the ideal spots.

A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning can handle the heating repair in Metairie, LA that will take care of any thermostat problems you have, as well as any malfunctions in your HVAC system. We aim for complete customer satisfaction in all our work.

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Noises Your Heater Should Not Make

Monday, December 9th, 2013

During the colder months of the winter, the sound of a heating system form a part of the general “white noise” in a home: something you don’t notice much, but which serves as a subconscious and soothing background sound. When your heater makes a noise that suddenly draws your attention, you’ll probably suspect that something is wrong.

Most unusual noises are warnings that you need an HVAC specialist to investigate your heating system to see if it requires repair work. Don’t procrastinate, since the repairs will only get more complicated and expensive if you let them slide—and some might turn dangerous.

Here are a few heating system sounds that you definitely should not hear. If you do, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning for professional heating repair service in Metairie, LA.

Heating system warning sounds

  • Booming/grumbling: If you have a gas furnace, these noises often indicate there is too much dirt along the burner, and the gas jets or pilots light cannot get enough air to ignite. You will need a professional to remove the burner unit and clean it.
  • Grinding: This sort of sound coming from a furnace cabinet is often a warning that the motors are running down because of worn parts. Usually, the motors will need to be replaced.
  • Screeching: The bearings on the motors are wearing down, possibly due to a dust infiltration. This needs attention before the whole motor requires replacement.
  • Clacking: Any noise that sounds like one component is striking against another might mean that a blower motor fan belt has come loose and is hitting other mechanisms inside the cabinet. This needs repair immediately before the loose belt causes further damage.
  • Clicking before the blower motor comes on: Although hearing a few clicking sounds as a gas furnace starts up is normal, if you hear a loud clicking about a minute and a half before the blower motor turns on, it might mean a crack in the heat exchanger—which could lead to a leak of carbon monoxide. If you suspect this has happened, shut off the gas to the furnace and call for repairs immediately.

Heating systems do not yet come equipped with artificial intelligences that can exactly inform you about a malfunction and what to do about it. However, these sounds listed above are the next best thing: when you hear them, bring in a human intelligence—a professional technician—to find out what is wrong and what to do about it.

A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning aims to deliver complete satisfaction with your heating repair in Metairie, LA. If your heater starts to warn you that something is wrong, call us.

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