Showing posts with label AC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AC. Show all posts
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What to do when AC does not turn on?

It is not wrong to say that we heavily rely on Air Conditioners to beat the heat and when we have an infant or elderly at home, it becomes essential to have fully functional AC for their overall health and wellbeing.

Firstly, the Air conditioner should not be taken for granted because when it breaks down, we can’t keep the serenity and straightly get mad. Before you fret, it’s better to assess the problem and identify the real reason behind this trouble. However, it sometimes gets difficult to figure out the exact issue – especially when AC has not been timely serviced.


The most common reasons AC won’t turn on

It’s common for homeowners to experience a problem with their ac unit occasionally. Before you rush to avail the services of an HVAC technician, follow the steps outlined below to identify and solve the problem.

Faulty motors:

Have you heard the unusual sounds before the unit stopped working altogether? If yes, then it is more likely the issue lies on the motor. To be surer, do a capacitor test to find out whether the problem is actually with the motor or not.

Faulty compressors:

The defective or broken compressor often makes the air conditioner to shut down. Timely cleaning and maintenance can go a long way to help prevent these problems.

The thermostat needs to be replaced:

A broken or outdated thermostat that either needs a battery or has some other technical fault can immediately stop the ac from turning on. If you have the basic knowledge for HVAC, you can conveniently identify the issue by yourself or go through the various settings of the Thermostat to make sure it works properly.

Dirty condenser lines:

Condenser lines that have mold, algae grown-up can sometimes be a reason for the air conditioner's sudden breakdown. The AC condenser unit is generally outside the home, and you can clean all the mess inside with white vinegar.

The fuse is not working:

You can do a continuity test with a multimeter to find out whether the fuse is working correctly or not. If you hear no beep in the multimeter, then the reason behind AC not turning is: “blown fuse”.

Tripped circuit breaker:

When there is a massive electricity overload, it is very likely for the circuit breaker to trip and interrupt the power flowing. The reason behind breakers tripping can be using too many appliances at the same time or having outdated equipment that consumes more electricity. 

Replace or repair the unit:

AC problems are frustrating and even worse when the AC does not turn on altogether. Generally, modern Air Conditioners have a life expectancy up to 15-20 years. However, timely maintenance can extend the useful life to a significant extent. It is best to replace the 12 years old unit with a more cost-effective unit. If the Ac is not that old and repair does not cost you more than 50% of the overall value of the unit, then better go for repair.

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Role of heating and air conditioning in home comfort

For the overall health and happiness, the importance of your home comfort heating and cooling system cannot be neglected. There are certain factors which contribute to creating a perfect indoor environment including air quality, humidity, and air temperature. Read on to know how these elements collectively optimize the comfort of your home.

Optimal Temperature

Ensuring optimum temperatures at night will allow you to get a better night's sleep and save energy cost simultaneously. Temperatures should fall in the range of 21 to 23 degrees Celsius during the heating season when the members of the household are in the home and awake. When occupants are asleep or away, it is recommended between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius.

Air Humidity

The air humidity level can affect your home comfort as well as your heating or air conditioning unit's proper functioning. If humidity somehow becomes the major hurdle of your home comfort; then consider a humidifier or dehumidifier as per your home’s requirements.

Air Quality

To protect the health of household members, indoor air quality is extremely important. Mold, fungi, bacteria, pollen, and spores are the major pollutants. This is how you can protect yourself from the unhealthy air: - Avoid exercising or spending time outside when the pollution level is high. - Refrain everyone to smoke indoor and use precautionary measures to keep your nearby area tobacco-free. - Go for the electric lawn care equipment and avoid using gasoline-powered machinery. - Don’t exercise near high traffic areas and try to use less electrical energy since more energy consumption will lead to bad air quality.

Proper Air circulation

Using your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is one of the easiest ways for air circulation. You can do this by setting the "fan only" option to your system. This system allows passing indoor air through the filter system. You can also use ceiling fans in your place which effectively move air around the room.

Professional Duct Cleaning

Professional cleaning of your home air ducts also protects your health and energy costs. Many nasty things such as dust, cobwebs, fungus, and even mold can collect in your ductwork. Your furnace will need to work harder to filter and push clean air in your entire home with this waste piled up.

Smoke Detectors and Carbon-monoxide detectors:

It is recommended to have installed one carbon monoxide and smoke detector on each level of the home, especially near bedroom or sleeping areas to maintain an ideal comfort for your home and avoid unhappy accidents.

Wrapping up the article:

People spend so much money on household energy, particularly for heating and cooling homes. How much you spend is contingent upon the area you live and the length of the season. As per the recent Stats Canada survey, natural gas is being utilized by half of the households in Canada while timber usage is considered a secondary source to create an ideal ambience. But to keep your place cool or warm, make sure to choose wise steps which can save your cost and maintain the home comfort effectively.

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Common Furnace problems and their solutions

With the arrival of winters when days and nights start getting colder, people usually prefer to
carry out the function of their furnaces; particularly Canadians whose most favourite home heating element is nothing but furnace. The problem; however, arises when homeowners feel their Furnace is not working properly and look out for HVAC help to resolve the issue or consider minimizing the issue by applying various DIY techniques.

This blog is dedicated to the solutions to common Furnace problems. But before going into finding the solutions to the problems, we must also throw some light on the most common problems residential furnaces face. Below are some of the most common issues which the furnaces usually face. Their solutions will also be discussed.



Heating problem - Check circuit breaker 

If the furnace is not performing the basic function of producing heat, you might consider checking the Thermostat. If the thermostat is already set to heating then the probable reason for non-functioning is that some fuse is broken. Check if the circuit breaker controlling the Furnace is in the ON position. If this does not help, the problem is in the wiring of the circuit.

Compromised Air Flow - Try cleaning the filters

In case the furnace is working but not producing enough heat and there’s a compromised air flow, ensure that the air filter is clean. This is one of the most essential components of the HVAC system and requires regular maintenance and cleaning. Dirty filters compromise the air flow and burden the system. So if a compromised air flow is felt, make sure you check the air filters and if found dirty, immediately clean/replace them.

Ignition problem - Replace damaged ignitor 

The ignition problem results in decreasing the capacity of the furnace to produce heat. This
problem is common in gas furnaces operating with a thermocouple. For instant resolution of the
issue, inspect the ignitor. In case it is damaged, change it. If this DIY doesn't help, consider calling a professional for help since this portion of the Furnace requires some professionalism and technical knowledge and excessive DIY can result in creating further issues.

Continuous cycling problem - Check filter and Thermostat

A frequently turning ON and OFF Furnace is a sign of trouble. It can be caused by a dirty and old air filter that needs replacement or an improperly programmed Thermostat. Check both.

Noisy blower - Oil it! 

A slight operational noise is normal for a Furnace and how does a normal noise sounds like, you know very well. When an unusual noise from the blower unit is felt, it is most possibly because of the friction in the components. Oil the blower fan for a quick resolve.

Dampness around the unit 

The Furnace unit may develop moisture and eventually dampness around it. Water leaks from the Humidifier connected to the ductwork may as well result in dampness and consequently short-circuiting. To resolve this, dry the unit and its surroundings properly by first switching the system off. If the problem persists, call a professional.

What are the Furnace problems that you frequently face and what are the DIY's you use to resolve them? 

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A DIY guide for fixing iced up Air Conditioner


Whether you're using a Central Air Conditioner, a Split system or a window unit, AC icing up is a scenario that you must have faced if you're already using Air Conditioner for several years. Although this is a frustrating situation and often puts a homeowner in the worries of whether it is time for him to replace his system, it is not a difficult to fix the problem and neither a one that necessarily requires a professional's help. In this blog, we are going to help you find you why your Air Conditioner freezes up and what you can do when that happens. 

Insufficient Air Flow

Air Conditioners work on the principle of throwing inner heat out on the evaporator coil and then bringing the cool air back. But when the Air Conditioner fails to evacuate indoor heat, the evaporator coil doesn't get sufficient heat to keep going with normal operation and instead freezes up as a protest. Well yeah! 

Low refrigerant = Icing up

The refrigerant used in Air Conditioners is usually Freon which is a gas. During operation as the gas expands, the cooling effect is produced. When there's only a limited amount of gas left and the pressure/temperature settings are the same, the gas expands to create an overly cool temperature. As a result, all the moisture/dampness around the evaporator coil turns into ice causing icing.

Temperature changes

Many times, the reason behind AC icing up is the change in the outdoor temperatures. As the temperature drops, the pressure in the unit drops which result in icing up.

Mechanical failures and icing up

Among the most common reasons comes the mechanical failure issues. Blocked air filters, twisted or torn refrigerant lines, improper blower fan operation, all of these have the tendency to cause icing up of the AC unit.

Solutions for fixing iced up AC unit

Let's now talk about some solution to fixing the iced up Air Conditioner unit.

- Clogged Filters as we mentioned above become the reason for causing icing. Check the AC's air filter for blockage. Consider using good quality filters that are also compatible with the system you have and change them at least after 3 months.

- The evaporator coil needs to have a smooth air flow through it. As it gets dirty, there's a blockage of airflow and this results in icing. Make sure the evaporator coils are clean

- A dirty ductwork restricts the air flow and causes the same consequences as the blocked filter does. The air flow restricts and therefore, icing is caused at the outdoor unit

Final word

Keeping appliances maintained is a good way to keep unexpected sudden repairs at par. Nonetheless, HVAC situations like AC icing up, insufficient cooling, AC shut off and similar issues are common and can be faced even by people who do keep their appliances maintained so it is good to keep yourself equipped with the necessary knowledge of their why's and how's.
We hope this blog helped you learn the basics of AC iced up scenario.

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Here's why you need to shift to energy efficient appliances

So you must have heard so much about energy-efficient appliances and if you happen to be a very simple person, must have wondered what exactly energy efficient appliances are? This blog is dedicated to explaining what energy efficient appliances are and what are their short-term as well as long-term effects. Let's move ahead!

Energy efficient appliances - what are they and how do they work?

Let's take the answer from the name itself. Energy efficient appliances are basically efficient at the use of energy. They are just the opposite of those classical appliances that were like ghosts when it comes to energy consumption; you had to put in a lot of oil, a lot of gas to get only a small amount of output. So far, science tells us that we can't really convert the input into 100% output. But it is possible to reach close to 100%. And these energy efficient appliances have made it possible. They use; less energy and give better output.  There are different types of energy efficient appliances; some that use renewable energy resources; hydal, solar etc and others whose mechanism is designed in such a way in order to use only a minimum amount of energy to produce high results.

Should I convert to energy efficient appliances?

Since we are particularly talking about HVAC appliances, you can check your appliances; there's a logo of ''Energy Star '' or a mention that the appliance is energy efficient which means it is smart in its use of energy. But if your Furnace, Air Conditioner or any other such appliance is older than a decade or more, it may not be energy efficient or the efficiency could be insignificant compared with the efficiency offered by the Energy Efficient products of today; so we would highly recommend you to make a shift for better. Here are the benefits that you can avail by installing energy efficient products;

- The foremost - energy saving

All our home comfort appliances need some kind of energy, be it; electricity, gas or oil. And this energy doesn't come for free. So you have to make sure you make a limited use of this energy. Limiting the use of appliances can only be made to a certain extent so it is using the appliances with energy-saving mechanisms that ensure less use of energy. Shift to energy efficient appliances because; they help save energy.

- The fascinating - dollar saving

Who likes spending so many dollars just on energy bills? We all are scared of heavy energy bills so here's a refuge from them. Shifting to energy efficient appliances results in; money saving. Less energy is consumed and the utility company sends you precise bills. Freedom!

- The important - Sustainable development

The Earth on which we live has limited resources. And if they are consumed with the similar speed with which they have been consumed in the past decades, estimates say that we shall finish our major energy resources in the coming decades. There's therefore, a need to conserve the energy to think of sustainable development. Energy efficient appliances help control the use. Also, the less use of energy results in less residual gases that saves the environment.

Conclusion

Energy efficient appliances are the need of time. Not only do they help limit the energy consumption by the appliances, lower the energy bills and elongate the appliance lifespan, they also help save the environment and the planet on the whole. So yes, if you haven't yet shifted to energy-efficient products, make a wise shift now!

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Signs of high humidity and how to control it

Humidity is good but mind you! levelled humidity. And by levelled humidity, we mean relative humidity of 35% - 45% in the air. Whenever this level goes down or rises extraordinarily up, it causes problems both for the home and the homeowners. While not all homes have a humidity meter installed, there are some signs that can help indicate insufficient or excessive humidity. Since we are closer to the summer, in which humidity level rises, this blog is on the signs of excessive humidity and ways to control it.



Signs that your home has excessive humidity


- Mould production


One of the most common and easily observed signs of excessive humidity is the presence (and rapid spread of mould). Any place in your home with insufficient air circulation is likely to produce mould more quickly. You can find green and black spots on walls, ceilings or in cupboards, usually of bathroom and kitchen. Using exhaust fans at the time of cooking, bathing can reduce the risks of the further spread of mould. As a permanent solution, best is to install a dehumidifier or an Air Conditioner that offers advanced dehumidification controls.

- Sweating

When there's a lot of moisture in the air, it condenses as it rises. And this moisture makes patches on walls, ceilings or windows etc. You can find large yellow spots on walls as a consequence of sweating or slippery windows and floors also indicate excessive moisture.

- Creaky Floor

The wooden floors, in constantly high humidity, will begin to smell. Marble and other material often times begin to creak. If your home is constantly under a high humidity condition, chances are your floor will creak and will always be felt wet.

- Soggy food

Ever happened to you that you opened the jar of chips and they were rather soggy instead of crispy? That's also a sign of high humidity when dry food items begin to get soggy. A soggy chocolate chip biscuit can tell you very loudly what ruined it.

- Worsening Allergies

In addition to all the above-mentioned signs, another is worsening allergies. Overly humidified air doesn't let the pollutants and allergens to exhaust quickly. They remain floating in the air for long causing allergies and making them long term. Moreover, a constantly high-level relative humidity is also proven to increase the risks of cancer among the homeowners.


What to do?

With all those signs, what is the best way to monitor and control the humidity level in the indoor? Can a common homeowner keep a check on humidity by himself? Here are some solutions.

- The first and foremost is to follow the right practices. Mostly, the cause of a sudden rise in indoor humidity is a consequence of homeowner's own malpractices like leaving bathroom walls wet after a bath and keeping the kitchen wet etc. Fix the causes!

- Once you are done with cleaning the already build-up mould, consider installing a Dehumidifier as a good and permanent solution to keep humidity under control. This is the best you can do to control a constantly surfacing problem of humidity

- Dehumidifiers are separate appliances that many homeowners find either a burden on their budget or an additional maintenance to do. If dehumidifiers aren't compatible with you, consider replacing your Air Conditioning unit with the one that offers advanced dehumidification controls. This will automatically provide you with levelled humidity

- Smart Thermostats offer data regarding indoor/outdoor temperature as well as humidity. Installing one can keep you aware of what humidity level you are living under allowing you to install a solution in time or change the practices that are causing it.




Did you find this blog useful? Don't forget to tell us.

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Cleaning thick Evaporator and Condenser Coils

As long as the home comfort appliances are kept with care and regular maintenance, not only do they complete their life expectancy but often times exceed it. Contrary to that, lack of maintenance and following wrong HVAC practices lead an appliance to costly repairs and early replacements. Talking in particular about Air Conditioners, it has been observed that a common reason of Air Conditioner break down or early replacement has a root in systems' evaporator and condenser coils. The coils need to be cleaned properly for the system to function properly but since most people choose to perform DIY cleaning, loopholes are left and the dirt and debris that penetrates even more into the system (due to wrong cleaning) begins to hinder the system's efficiency. Many times when people think their system needs replacement all it needs is a comprehensive cleaning. Today, let's help you explore some myths about compressor and evaporator coil cleaning and teach you the right cleaning methodology.
Real-Coils1.jpg
Here's how homeowners clean Evaporator and Condenser coils:
Before we explain ''HOW TO DO'', let's explore, ''HOW YOU DO'' the cleaning. A majority of homeowners use a high-pressure water and rinse the coils only briefly. The coils from the outside are rinsed and an all clean appearance make homeowners believe they're done with cleaning. The truth, however, is; the pressure of water does rinse some of the outside dust but pushes the rest of the dirt, sludge and the build ups of moulds etc towards inside. The dirt and debris that is inside the coils never find a chance to get rinsed with pressured water. As a result, the coils might appear clean, they are not. All these sludge then hinder the efficiency of the system. Now you know why your cleaning never improved your system's efficiency?

The right way to clean Evaporator and Condenser Coils:   
So we've just discovered why is using a high water pressure, not a good choice. What then is a good combination for cleaning the delicate and hard to reach parts of Air Conditioner's evaporator and condenser coils? The right formula is;
Low Pressure
and
High Volume
Unlike the high-pressure water, the low-pressure high volume water reaches the coil bed and the consistently pouring water loosen the build ups which then, along with the water flow move easily from the other side. The high-pressure water has low volume and even the high pressure after passing through the upper layers of coils lowers. So there neither remains a high pressure nor a high volume and this is why this commonly followed formula never cleans the coils properly. Also, if some cleaner is used and a high-pressure water fails to clean the cleaners effects, the residue will only contribute to causing rust and dints.     
High Pressure might damage the coils
There are numerous instances when homeowners use an excessively high pressure which results in damaging the coil bed's fins badly that are extremely delicate. There are high chances that in an effort to clean the coils, you could totally damage them and would have to replace the coils or the system altogether. And this is particularly true for thin evaporator coils. The recommended way for both thick and thin evaporator coils is by using the same formulae as mentioned above. If you've a hard time choosing what pressure and volume range should you be using exactly, consider consulting an HVAC professional.
At Cosmopolitan Mechanical Services Inc. we offer maintenance as well as repair services for Air Conditioners and a variety of other home comfort heating and cooling appliances. If you'd like to have your coils professionally cleaned, contact us at 1-855-245-4328               

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Top 5 Air Conditioner Problems and their solutions

Air Conditioners are our dearest friends when it comes to Summers in the indoors but we all know, many times it is our friends that put us in troubled water. And Air Conditioners fall true on this attribute of a friend and friendship. While they help comfort us, they also do not forget to create discomfort by posing issues that result in high energy bills, system inefficiency, system noises and others. HVAC technicians get extremely busy during the peak Summer season and it is difficult to have them at the earliest possible (which is what we do want) when there's an HVAC emergency. It is, therefore, always good to keep oneself ready for such situations forehand so as to be able to cope with them performing the right methods.
Here we're discussing 5 common Air Conditioner problems and their solutions.


AC Problems

1. Air Conditioner Short Cycles

The cycles goes like;
- Air Conditioner begins cooling the home
- It cools the home according to the temperature set on Thermostat
- It trips
- It begins cooling again as the temperature rises again
Short Cycling refers to your system tripping without providing the desired cooling.
Solution
The cause of this problem lies in a malfunctioning Thermostat, poor wiring or a poorly calibrated Thermostat. Resolve the issue by resetting the Thermostat, making sure its batteries and wiring are fine and changing the location if it is installed at an improper location. If thermostat troubleshooting doesn't work, try consulting a professional to have the system diagnosed asap since short cycling results in super fatty bills and may also cause a system break down.

2. Air Conditioner Thermostat (Touch Screen) not working

There are several benefits that the Touch Screen Thermostats have over the conventional Thermostats but nonetheless, everything comes with its own pros and cons. Some people have a real hard time with touch screens. The most commonly reported problem is that the touch screen stops working partially or completely.
Solution
Before jumping on to the solution, know the reason. The screen stops working either due to a damaged or dirty screen, battery problems or because of a software problem. While the software problem requires a professional help, try out other solutions as it is not necessary that your Thermostat has a software problem. Change batteries and clean the screen using a soft fibre cloth. Touch now! Did that work? Congratulation if yes. If no, call a professional to fix the software issue.
We install, maintain, repair, replace and relocate all types of Thermostats in GTA, Ontario. Call us anytime 1-855-245-4328   
 

3. Compressor Noises

Here's another most commonly reported problem; a noisy compressor that often times raises safety concerns among homeowners. A compressor can begin to make a rattling, banging, hissing, humming, rumbling or other sounds depending on different reasons. A hissing sound is mainly due to a refrigerant leak, a banging sound due to something stuck in the compressor, a rattling sounds due to loose parts and other similar or different noises due to high or low air pressure and faulty Thermostat.
Solution
There's no harm in quickly checking your system for all the above-mentioned possibilities but do not try anything the consequences of which you're not aware of. For example, homeowners sometimes try to remove a stuck object from the compressor and end up damaging the fan blades. We recommend calling a professional for things related to the compressor that are beyond your fixing ability.

4. AC fails to cool

Short-cycling is one thing and cooling failure another. Sometimes, the system despite being turned on for hours fail to cool the home.
Solution
The causes of cooling failure are; dirty filter (huf! you already knew that), duct leaks, non-sealed home or faulty home insulation. Begin the DIY by closing all doors and windows properly, cleaning the filters and checking the ductwork for any leaks. If the problem persists, choose to rely on a professional.
Note:
Please note that sometimes, Air Conditioners fail to cool properly because of the unusually hot temperature. If it is a hot day and your system otherwise works fine, there's nothing to worry about. The system will resume efficiency as the outdoor temperature drops a little.

5. AC needs continuous repairs

Homeowners are often found complaining about their Air Conditioning systems that are sick throughout the Summer. Here they have a repair and there another repair need arises.    
Solution
It is sad to discuss but the truth remains the truth whatsoever. Among other reasons, the commonly known real reason of why your system is needing continuous repairs is your own service technician. Service companies often use the strategy of leaving loopholes in systems so that they're called again and this is how they break your bank. Consider changing your HVAC technician if you're doubtful about the service.
However, this is not the only possible reason. Other reasons include;
- Old system
- Lack of maintenance
- Improper unit size
Fix the problem by replacing your unit if it is already older than 15 years. Else, become regular about HVAC maintenance.

24/7 HVAC customer care

Did that article help? Are you struggling with Air Conditioner problems and need help?
Connect with us, anytime; 1-855-245-4328

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