Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace or repair my conditioner?
To answer the question of should I replace or repair my system, one of the most important things that you need to consider is how old your air conditioner is.
If you are thinking about repairing it, compare how much it will cost to repair versus how much a new air conditioning system costs. If you have a broken AC, a licensed technical expert from AC Repair Mississauga can assess your system and discuss the options that are available to you.
Are you looking to reduce your energy bills?
In recent years, AC technological advances have significantly improved energy efficiency. Other critical factors ca also influence your decision or whether to replace or repair an AC unit. For example, it can be very expensive to repair the AC compressor or a refrigerant leak. So you need to carefully weigh the advances and disadvantages of each option.
What should I do if my air conditioner doesn’t turn on?
An AC system’s performance can be affected by many different factors. Following some basic maintenance tips can help you avoid many issues. Other problems might be more serious and need to be handled by licensed HVAC technicians.
If your air conditioner will not turn on, check the following:
- Tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
- Make sure your thermostat has been set for cooling and to the proper temperature.
- If the air filter is dirty, replace or clean it as needed.
- Make sure the vents and registers are not closed or blocked to ensure adequate airflow.
- Airflow may be blocked by obstructions surrounding the outsider condenser. Remove any objects, vines, branches, grass, or weeds that might be leaning against or covering up the outside unit.
If you still do not have cool air, call a licensed professional technician to schedule a tuneup to have your AC unit cleaned and inspected as part of your recommended regular AC maintenance.
How can I solve my home’s uneven cooling issues?
Is the air temperature in your house different in various rooms or on different floors? In multi-story homes, uneven heating or cooling is a fairly common problem. Clogged or dirty filters and ductwork problems can contribute to uneven temperatures in your house. Our technicians have the following tips for you to help solve uneven cooling problems in your house.
Do you have any blocked vents or registers?
Things like furniture or carpets blocking vents and registers can stop or limit airflow. Move them away so that cool air can more easily circulate.
Tip from a Technicians: Vents should never be fully closed on the first floor of your house. That can cause pressure to buildup inside the HVAC system and can lead to problems such as equipment failure and higher energy consumption.
Do you have a dirty air filter?
When the air filter is dirty is restricts airflow into and through the rooms of your house. Make sure to clean or change your filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
Do you have clean return air vents?
Vents and registers need to be kept clean and clutter-free so that airflow is not impacted. Every few months, clean them by using your vacuum. That will also reduce pollutants and dust in the air that you breathe.
Does your ductwork have any problems?
Blockages in the ductwork of your house can cause uneven cooling inside your house due to airflow being restricted. Or air leaks inside your duct system might be the problem. If there are holes in the ducts it can cause leaks that provide some rooms with too much air, and too little in other rooms.
Does your attic have enough insulation?
The insulation in your home has two jobs to do all year long: during the winter it keeps you warm and during the summer it keeps you cool. If the insulation is of inadequate quantity or quality it can cause a noticeable difference in the temperature of the lower and upper floors of your house.
Tip: If you are experiencing uneven cooling in your house, change the thermostat’s fan switch to “on” instead of “auto.” When the “on” position is used, the system’s fan continues circulating air even after the cooling cycle of the system goes off. This helps to even the temperatures out between the different floors of your house.
What are the various kinds of air conditioners that are available?
Packaged air conditioners
With packaged central air conditions, the compressor, condenser, and evaporator are packaged all together in a single cabinet. That is why it is a good option when there is limited indoor space inside a home.
A duct system is used by packaged air conditioners for distributing cool air. Usually, the AC unit is located on the roof and has a tendency to be a common option used by small commercial buildings. Certain packaged air conditioners include heating functions as well, which means a separate furnace is not necessary.
Split systems
In Canada, the most common type of house comfort solution is a cooling split system.
A split-system central air conditioning system has an indoor unit (evaporator) and an outdoor unit (condenser), which is why it is called ‘split.’ There is an evaporator coil in the furnace. The furnace blower motor circulates cool air through your home’s ductwork. If your house is unable to accommodate the necessary ductwork for installing a central air conditioning system, a good option to consider is a split ductless system.
Mini-Split or Ductless Air Conditioners
Do you have a house with no ducts? Or perhaps you don’t want to have to install ductwork necessary for a central air system?
Mini-split or ductless air conditioners are an alternative option of window air conditions and have similarities with central air conditioning systems. They are comprised of an indoor unit with blowers that are mounted on the ceiling, floor or wall, and an outside condenser. The parts are connected with tubing and circulate refrigerant. Also a drain and electric line rn through a hole in the back of the indoor unit. A remote control is used to control the indoor unit.
How can I select the proper size of a central air conditioning system for my house?
Having the right-sized AC is essential for the comfort of your home. If the air conditioning system is too small for your house, it will have a hard time keeping you cool or very hot days.
On the other hand, if your AC is too big for your house, it will continuously cycle off and on, which wastes energy. Also, it will not be able to dehumidify your house effectively, which will make it feel less comfortable and warmer.
Along with considering your home’s square footage, an HVAC specialist will consider other critical factors, including:
– The needs of your family
– The specific climate and region where you live
– Your home’s orientation (which way it faces)
– Age and size of the windows
– The ductwork and ventilation system of your house
– Quantity and quality of the insulation in your home
– How old your house is
Please contact us to receive your no-obligation, free in-house consultation with one of our professional HVAC specialists.
How can I save money on my air conditioning energy bills?
If you are searching for ways to lower your energy bills, review the following effective yet simple strategies.
They are fairly inexpensive and can save you lots of money. For example, a programmable thermostat allows you to time your system so that it turns on about an hour before you get home, which can help you avoid the expenses of cooling down your house when no one is at home. There is an increasing number of different thermostats that can be controlled using a mobile app, which means your energy management is now in the palm of your hand – literally!
Use ceiling fans
Although a ceiling fan does not reduce the temperature in a room, it does move the air around which can make it feel cooler. It will be more likely that you will turn the AC down.
Use energy-saving light bulbs
Not only do incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy, but they also generate a lot of heat. When you switch to more energy-efficient bulbs, both your wallet and AC will thank you.
Close your blinds and curtains
The rays of the sun are strongest during the summer, and can quickly heat up a room. Draw the blinds and curtains whenever possible, particularly on sunny hot days. If you are feeling ambitious you can plant a tall shrub or tree in front of windows receiving lots of sunshine to give you natural shade.
On hot days, avoid using your oven
Instead of using your oven, which generates lots of heat, cook on an outdoor grill or use your microwave.
Check the filter on your furnace
If the filter is dirty it can restrict airflow, which will make your air conditioner have to work harder than necessary. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and change the filter according to the recommended schedule, or even more frequently if you suffer from allergies or have pets.
Take advantage of rebates
Depending on the province where you live, you may be able to receive a greate rebate when you upgrade your air conditioner or buy products to improve your energy efficiency, including programmable thermostats. For more information on the offers and rebates that are available to you, check out the local utility website in your area.
Central air conditioners that are ENERGY STAR certified use less energy and have a higher SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating compared to conventional new models. Our experts at AC Repair Mississauga can help you select the best ENERGY certified air conditioner for your requirements.
When shopping for a new central air conditioner, what things should I look for?
Buying a new central air conditioner is a major investment. You want to ensure that you choose the ideal unit for your house – and for your family’s comfort needs. It can be tricky trying to choose the best system without getting help from an HVAC expert. Keep in mind, we offer a no-obligation, free consultation so we can answer any concerns or questions you might have.
The following are just a couple of things our expert will consider before helping you determine the most cost-efficient and suitable air conditioner for your individual needs:
Energy efficiency.
In general, new ACS are 20-40% more efficient compared to minimum-efficiency models from 10 years ago. Today’s Energy Star air conditioning system will have at least a 14.5 SEER rating. The higher that the rating is, the more efficient the air conditioning system is and will provide you with more energy savings.
The right sized AC. Be sure to get a new AC that is big enough to keep your house cool, but not so big that it wastes energy. If an AC is too large for your house, it will consume excessive amounts of electricity and reduce your home’s energy efficiency overall. A Reliance Home Comfort Advisor can consider the size of your house, the efficiency of the windows, the climate, and the insulation to determine the right system for your house.
A good warranty. There are many reputable brands that provide a 10-year warranty. There are some models that offer lifetime coverage on their compressors, which is the most expensive part of a new air conditioning system.
Is it quiet? If either your neighbors or you like peace and quiet, that might be an important thing to consider: in general, central air conditioners are fairly quiet inside the house. However, they can be noisy on the outside. If you have any neighbors that are close or who like sitting outside, then everyone will appreciate a quieter system.
Local utility rebates might influence your choice. When comparing air conditioners, keep in mind that significant rebates might be offered by your local utility for buying a high-efficiency AC. Here at Reliance, we have assisted thousands of homeowners all across Canada with participating in rebate programs. We can help to maximize your savings. For more information on the rebates that are available to you, check the local utility’s website.
Find the best home comfort partner to work with. It is just important to find a reliable AC contract to maintain and install your equipment as the actual AC. The following are some of the most important things to consider when hiring an AC contractor:
– Does the AC contractor have verification of insurance and bonding? Are they licensed?
– Does the contractor have a proven track record of successful installations within your local community?
– Is the contractor able to provide you with references that show that they have installed ACs in a professional and timely manner?
– Is 24/7/365 support offered by the contractor?
– Are any guarantees offered by the contractor?
Are you shopping for a brand new air conditioner? If so, consider the following factors:
– Higher SEER and EER air conditioners will save you money on your electricity bills.
– Combining an AC and furnace with a variable-speed blower motor can help to increase the efficiency of your AC.
It is always good to perform some preventative maintenance on a central air conditioner. Regular maintenance and cleaning can save you money on AC repair bills, and lengthen the lifespan of your AC. The following are some easy steps you can take to ensure your air conditioning system runs optimally:
Check the furnace filter to see if it is clogged or dirty. The furnace blower motor circulates the cooled air throughout your house. One of the easiest steps you can take to maintain your AC is to regularly change the furnace filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow and reduces the system’s ability to cool efficiently and effectively. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for when to change the filter, or more often if you suffer from allergies or have pets.
Clear out the debris from the evaporator and condenser. Debris buildup around and in the air conditioner’s condenser can cause lots of performance issues. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep them clear of debris and clean. Remove any tree branches, vines, grass, bushes, weeds, and leaves that are close to the condense, and ensure that the area surrounding the air conditioner is free of items or clutter that can block airflow.
Clean the fins. Your AC maintenance should include using a sprayer and garden hose to clean your aluminum condenser fins. Turn off the AC before cleaning or spraying the AC unit with water. Turn the breaker off to make sure the unit does not turn on accidentally. Make sure to spray from the inside to the outside of the condenser if possible.
Important: Do no use a power or pressure washer since it can damage the internal components of the condenser.
Clean out the condensate drain. An AC pulls humidity out of the air, along with cooling it down. To do that, the system pulls hot, humid air in and then cools it down using cold evaporator coils located inside the AC. When this occurs, droplets/condensation forms on the AC’s evaporator coil, and then flows down the condensate drain line.
Over time, the drain line can become partially clogged or clogged with debris, mold, or algae, and that can compromise the performance of your AC and result in your HVAC system becoming damaged or water getting into the basement.
Do you not have enough time to clean your condensate drain? If so, you should have an AC tune-up performed. AC maintenance does take effort and time. A AC Repair Mississauga cooling technician can handle the maintenance work that you might not have time to do yourself, like cleaning and clearing the condensate drains, as well as inspecting all of the major components of the system. That can help prevent unexpected repairs and can extend the life of your air conditioning system as well.