Signature HVAC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Replacement’

Summer’s Over—Was It the Last Summer for Your AC?

Tuesday, September 29th, 2020

The end of summer doesn’t mean you automatically stop using your home’s central air conditioning system. The heat can linger deep into the fall. But the main period of work for the AC is behind it, and it’s a good time to think about whether you need new air conditioning in West Chester, PA before the next summer.

A central AC system can last, on average, between 10 to 15 years if it is regularly maintained. If your air conditioner is in this range, we recommend considering how well it performed during the summer to help you plan your future cooling. You may be able to keep the AC going effectively for a few more years, or it may be time to get ahead of bigger problems and have it replaced during cooler weather.

Below are factors to consider when thinking about whether your AC just had its last summer or not.

Tags: Air Conditioning Replacement, Air Conditioning System Repairs, West Chester
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Short-Cycling—A Common and Serious AC Malfunction

Monday, September 21st, 2020

You may never have heard the term short-cycling before, but it may be occurring in your house right now. It’s a problem that air conditioning systems as well as heat pumps often encounter. It’s not only a serious malfunction that creates threats to your comfort and wallet, it can indicate a range of underlying causes. To fix short cycling, you will probably need professional AC repair in West Chester, PA.

We’ll examine what short-cycling is, why it’s a problem, and what may cause it.

What Is It?

Short-cycling is when an AC or other refrigerant-based system fails to complete its full cooling cycle and shuts down early. It then turns back on a short time later, only to again shut off the cooling cycle prematurely. The cooling cycle for air conditioners is normally at least 15 minutes, often longer. Running less than 10 minutes is a sign the system is short-cycling.

Why Is It a Problem?

Air conditioners are designed to have longer cycles, and when they begin to start and stop repeatedly over short periods of time, it puts immense wear on their components that they weren’t built for. The start-up cycle for an air conditioner is when the system uses the most power as it overcomes resistance to start the compressor. When an AC is doing this repeatedly over a short time, it both drains huge amounts of power and increases the work strain put on the system. A short-cycling air conditioner is at a higher risk of a malfunction or full breakdown, and it will also lose years off its service life.

Short-cycling also affects comfort in a home. If an AC doesn’t stay on long enough, it won’t provide even cooling around the house, leaving hot spots in some rooms.

What Causes It?

Many different troubles in an air conditioning system may lead to short-cycling. It’s one of the most common warning signs of other repair issues in the AC, including:

Leaking refrigerant
A clogged air filter
Frozen evaporator coils
Dirty condenser coils
An oversized air conditioner
An air conditioner that’s too old

For most of these problems, you’ll need the assistance of an HVAC professional to repair the air conditioner. First check for the clogged filter and put in a new one. This may stop the short-cycling, but we still recommend calling technicians to inspect the system for possible damage from short-cycling.

In the case of an oversized air conditioner, this is a problem from the initial installation—a common mistake that amateur installers make. The only repair for this is to call on certified professionals to replace the air conditioner with one that is accurately sized for your home’s cooling requirements.

If you have an air conditioner that is more than 15 years old, short-cycling is a warning sign the compressor is coming to the end of its service life, as is the air conditioner. Since 15 years is usually the upper limit for estimated AC lifespans, we recommend replacing any system that’s older than this. And short-cycling means it is definitely time to call for a new installation.

Call the Signature Service You Can Trust! Signature HVAC offers service in hours, not days—we’re here for your AC repairs.

Tags: Air Conditioning Replacement, Air Conditioning System Repairs, West Chester
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Is This the Year You Get a New Central AC?

Tuesday, April 28th, 2020

This summer promises to be another hot one, and you’ll rely on your central air conditioning system to circulate cool temperatures to the rooms. But let’s talk about the word rely for a moment. Do you think you can rely on your current air conditioner for another summer? You may have concerns about its age, its performance, the cost to run it, and its overall … reliability.

Choosing to get a new air conditioning system is a major decision for homeowners. It requires weighing the pros and cons of continuing with repairs or going ahead with a replacement. In a few cases, the answer is obvious—such as when an air conditioning system fails so completely it can’t be repaired. But in most situations, the choice isn’t so clear.

But don’t worry. We can help.

Tags: Air Conditioning Replacement, Air Conditioning System Repairs, West Chester
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