Signature HVAC

Why Can’t My Central Air Conditioner Keep Up With the Heat?

June 21st, 2021

This isn’t what you signed up for when you got your air conditioning system for your home (or you inherited the air conditioner when you moved into your current home). You expect a central AC to provide enough cooling to keep your home comfortable, no matter the heatwave outside. And yet right now you’re struggling to stay cool even when the AC is working full-throttle. You can feel cool air coming from the vents, but it apparently isn’t enough. Why is your air conditioner experiencing problems keeping up with the hot weather?

There are many possibilities for this problem, and they range from simple ones you can correct on your own to more complicated issues requiring central AC repair in West Chester, PA, or even a full system replacement. Below, we’re going to get into some of the more common causes of an AC that can’t keep up.

Is That AC Repair Worth the Cost? Let’s Take a Deeper Dive

June 7th, 2021

When you’ve had your air conditioning system for a decade or more, you’re going to begin to consider replacing it. Or at least you’ll think about it when the air conditioner starts to experience routine problems that require having professionals repair it. Repairs cost money, and at what point does the cost of repairs outweigh the cost of investing in a new air conditioner?

This is one of the Big Questions homeowners face with their HVAC systems. We’d like to shed some light on the question of whether an AC repair is worth the cost or if it’s time for a new AC.

Warning Signs Your AC Is Leaking Refrigerant

May 24th, 2021

Last year we wrote about the role refrigerant plays in your air conditioning system: it’s not an energy source for an AC but rather how an AC removes heat from the air to cool it down. In that post, we briefly talked about why both too much and too little refrigerant is major trouble for an air conditioner.

Today we’re going to get into details about having too little refrigerant, which is a common cause for air conditioning repair in West Chester, PA. The refrigerant lines in an air conditioner can develop leaks due to corrosion, and this problem can start affecting an AC system after only five years in service—it’s not just an “old air conditioner” problem!

Refrigerant leaks need repairs as soon as possible, since a low refrigerant charge puts the entire system in jeopardy. But refrigerant leaks aren’t often obvious at first, so we’ve put together a list of warning signs that will tell you it’s time to call us to check out the AC.

Why It’s Important to Have Your AC Professionally Sized

May 10th, 2021

“Sizing” an air conditioning system? You may not have heard the term before and find it a bit odd. You’re not going to wear the air conditioner. Is that about making sure an air conditioning system fits in the space it’s supposed to go?

What sizing means with air conditioning installation is finding out how powerful a unit is needed to provide the required level of comfort for a home without wasting energy. It’s a vital step in AC installation, and one you don’t want to get wrong. That’s why we recommend only having professionals take care of your next air conditioning installation in West Chester, PA.

5 Signs You May Need an AC Replacement

April 26th, 2021

In our last post, we wrote about the importance of scheduling regular air conditioning maintenance this spring (and every spring). One of the benefits of regular maintenance is that it helps an air conditioning system last for as long as possible. However, no amount of maintenance can make an AC system last forever. It’s best to get ahead of a failing air conditioning system and notice the early warnings that it needs a replacement in the near future.

Below are five major ways to tell it’s close to the time when you should schedule an air conditioning replacement in West Chester, PA.

April Means It’s Time for Air Conditioning Maintenance

April 12th, 2021

April is the full first month of spring. Even though it can sometimes bring cold weather surprises (such as dropping below 45°F) here in West Chester, this is when the temperatures start their gradual climb toward the highs of July. And that means it’s time to turn your attention to your air conditioning system. Is it ready to handle the coming hot weather? The best way to be sure is to call a reliable HVAC company West Chester, PA and schedule air conditioning maintenance. In other words, call Signature HVAC!

Putting in a New Heater? You Need Professionals to Size It

March 29th, 2021

It’s no fun to have a heating system give out on you right at the end of the winter. But if you’ve made the choice to replace it now, that’s definitely for the best. Spring is an ideal time to make upgrades to your HVAC system, and it always pays to be proactive about replacing old heating equipment—even if you won’t need it for many months.

However, if you’re thinking of trying to “go it alone” on the replacement because you think you’ll have the time to do it, well, we’re glad to be here to stop you. A new central heating system installation must be left to trained and licensed technicians. So much can go wrong if an amateur tries the job, starting with incorrectly sizing the unit.

Heating Upgrades for the Coming Spring

March 15th, 2021

“Wait, I don’t need to upgrade my heating system for the spring.” You’re probably thinking we made a mistake in our title for this blog. But we’re serious. What better time to improve your heating system, what more convenient time, than during a period when you don’t have to rely on it?

Spring is an ideal period for assessing what you need done for your heating system and then arranging for the necessary HVAC services in Downingtown, PA. Our technicians have less crowded schedules in spring, making it easier to schedule the work when it best suits you, and you’ll have your most immediate heating needs on your mind.

We’re going to look at some of the heating upgrades you might wish to have done during the spring. These are all services we provide, and we’re happy to help you with more information and other ideas to ensure you have the best heating possible for the coming years.

Never Put Off Furnace Repairs, No Matter the Time of Year

March 1st, 2021

March is famous for its unpredictable weather, so you can expect to have your furnace regularly heating your home all through the month. And probably a decent chunk of April. But your thoughts are probably already turning toward spring and warmer weather. And summer comes after that! Your furnace will get a nice vacation and you can soak up the warmth.

We certainly encourage positive thinking, but it can sometimes lead into the trap of believing you don’t need to rush to have any furnace repair in King of Prussia, PA should you notice signs something is wrong. Odd noises, short-cycling, uneven heating, higher bills—these are all issues that need professionals to inspect, no matter the time of year. Putting off furnace service, thinking you can get to it in fall because warm weather will soon be here, can lead to some serious problems. Below are reasons we urge you to move fast when your furnace needs help at this time of year.

Why Is My Furnace Having Trouble Coming On?

February 15th, 2021

This is not the kind of question you want to ask during winter. You have your thermostat set for a warm temperature, and the house is definitely cold enough—but your furnace is struggling to turn on, and maybe not getting there. Maybe you hear clicking from the furnace cabinet, and the burners turn on for a short while, but it doesn’t last. If you feel like turning on the furnace is as much a struggle as getting a car engine to turn over on a freezing day, then you may have an issue that requires professional furnace repair in Malvern, PA.

We’ll look closer at what may be happening with your furnace that is creating this frustration.

Always check the furnace filter first

This is a good rule of thumb for any time you’ve got an issue with a furnace not working the way it should or running up heating bills. See if the furnace filter is clogged up and needs to be replaced. A clogged filter cuts off the airflow into the furnace, and without airflow, the furnace will struggle to get the burners lit or any heat moving. The furnace filter should have changes every one to three months, and if you aren’t doing it regularly you can expect furnace problems like this to occur.

The ignition system or pilot light is in trouble

Few furnaces today use standing pilot lights to ignite the burners. If you have an old furnace it may have a pilot light; check to see if it is burning steadily. If you have to relight it and it goes out again soon after, it’s time to call for pros to look into it.

Most furnaces use a type of electronic ignition system to light the burners. Your igniter may not be heating up enough or creating strong enough sparks to get the burners going. HVAC technicians can replace the igniter to fix this.

Obstructed burners

A common source of a furnace that won’t easily start up is because the burners have dirt, grime, or carbon particles on them that’s blocking the gas jets and making it harder for them to get the oxygen they need to ignite. You can’t clean off the burners as a DIY job: professionals must remove the burner assembly and chemically clean it.

Gas flow issues

If you hear a constant clicking sound from the furnace as it tries to start, it may indicate a problem with a stuck gas valve that’s inhibiting the flow of natural gas to the burners. Another possibility is faulty gas lines or even gas leaks. These are potentially hazardous problems, so we recommend shutting off the gas to the furnace and calling for assistance.

Electrical issues

The problem could stem from faults in the control board of the furnace. Gas furnaces rely on these electrical components as much as electric furnaces! Bad relays or broken connections can cause the furnace’s start-up cycle to fail.

If you believe you need help to get your furnace back to working shape, rely on us: we offer service in hours, not days!

Signature HVAC offers the Signature Service You Can Trust! Schedule service for your heating repairs or other heating needs with us.

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