Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Air Conditioning

AC FAQ: Why Is There Ice on My System?

June 26, 2017

You really do not have to be a professional air conditioning technician to understand that the sole function of an air conditioner is to cool things down. If you think this means that the development of ice on your air conditioner is normal, though, think again. Yes, your AC is responsible for cooling down hot air, but it is not a freezer. If you start to see ice develop anywhere on your system, you really should have a trained professional check in on it.

There may be a very simple solution to the problem, but it could also be quite serious. Whatever the case may be, diagnosing the problem properly to begin with is every bit as important as repairing it correctly. Work with our team, and you’ll have no doubt about the exceptional quality of your air conditioning repairs in Windsor, CO.

First Things First: What Is Freezing?

One facet of this issue that confuses homeowners is the question of what exactly is freezing to begin with. After all, it is not as though water is used in our central air conditioners. If there is ice on the system, though, that means that water is getting in from somewhere, right?

The ice that you may see develop on your evaporator coil is actually the result of frozen condensation. When refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator coil in order to draw heat out of the air, some moisture is drawn out of the air as well. That moisture drips onto the coil, and then down into the condensate drain pan and out of your home through the drain line. In certain situations, though, the coil may be cold enough for the condensation to freeze up.

Causes of the Freezing Coil

First of all, resolving the issue of condensation freezing on your evaporator coil may be as simple as changing your air filter. If your air filter is extremely dirty, then it will restrict airflow through the system. That restricted airflow means that the evaporator coil may not be able to pull a sufficient amount of heat out of the air surrounding it. When that happens, the coil can get cold enough to freeze this condensation.

Additionally, and much more seriously, you could have a refrigerant leak. The refrigerant in your air conditioner is what allows the system to cool the air to begin with. Air conditioners are designed to work with a certain amount of refrigerant. If your refrigerant is low due to leaks in the system, then the heat transfer process is impeded and you may wind up with ice on your coil.

Continuing to run a system with ice on the coil puts it at risk of overheating, and the excess wear and tear on the system can result in serious damage over time. Make the right choice and contact us the moment that you see ice on your system–and remember to check that filter first!

Schedule your AC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Why Upgrade My Thermostat?

June 12, 2017

There are a number of issues that can lead to a subpar performance with an air conditioning system. Many of these issues are beyond the homeowner’s control, will arise unexpectedly, and will require professional intervention to resolve. In some cases, though, an outdated piece of equipment is simply holding the AC back from its full potential. This is the case if you are using a thermostat that is something of a relic from time past. You’ll need a professional to replace your thermostat in Loveland, CO, but it is a simple upgrade that can have very big benefits.

One word of caution–don’t just find the fanciest, most well-reviewed thermostat that you can online, order it, and then expect your technician to install it for you. You need to know for sure that your thermostat is the right fit for your system, and that your AC is capable of integrating with that control. If you really want to upgrade your thermostat to the newest technology and have an old AC in place, then a full air conditioning replacement may be a better option to consider.

Is My Thermostat Really That Big a Player?

Absolutely, yes. Don’t let this HVAC system component’s size fool you. Diminutive though it may be when compared to, say, your condenser unit, the thermostat that you use in your home is literally the conduit through which you are able to control the system at large. It’s importance is impossible to overstate, and any issues with your thermostat are going to have serious implications for the overall efficiency and performance quality with which your air conditioner operates.

Why Upgrade, Though? My Thermostat Is Working Fine

That may be true, but is “fine” all that you hope for when it comes to your AC system? During the most intense heat of summer, we think that our clients deserve more than “fine.” The first instance in which a thermostat upgrade should be considered is if you find yourself using an old dial or slide thermostat.

These thermostats, such as the round model pictured, are difficult to control accurately. You may not be setting the temperature as precisely as you’d like to, and that can lead to increased cooling costs. Upgrading to a digital thermostat is a small step toward much more accurate temperature settings.

While opting for even the most basic digital thermostat is a good starting point, we strongly urge you to at least consider a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to set cooling–and heating–programs based around your own personal schedule. In doing so, you can keep cooling costs in line without having to come home to an uncomfortably warm living space at the end of the work day.

More advanced models, such as smart thermostats, are definitely worth considering. However, it is vital you hire a professional to ensure your system is compatible with such a thermostat. If so, using a smart thermostat will allow you to control your system remotely, as well as to view energy reports that can help you to make the changes you need to in order to cut energy costs even further.

Schedule your AC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Don’t Forget to Change Your AC Filter

May 29, 2017

We hope that you have taken our frequent bit of advice to heart and been diligent in scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance in Wellington, CO. If not, you are putting your comfort, your budget, and even the overall operating condition of your cooling system at risk. While annual air conditioning maintenance is definitely the best way in which to keep your AC functioning at peak performance and efficiency levels, there is also one important step that you should be handling yourself: changing your air filter as needed.

It may not sound like much, but simply changing out your air filter as needed is one of the best things that you can do for your air conditioner. Of course, it is important that you use a filter that is the right for your air conditioning system. If you have any questions about how frequently you should be changing your filter, how to actually replace the filter, or what type of filter you should be using, do not hesitate to give our technicians a call. In fact, you just may find some more helpful tips right here in upcoming posts.

Increased Airflow Resistance

When you leave your air filter in your air conditioning system for too long, it is going to get very clogged up. Obviously, the whole point of your air filter is to create enough resistance to filter pollutants out, but to allow air to flow through that filter as well. If the filter is clogged, then the AC is going to start to struggle to pump air through that filter effectively. That will cause the system to work harder, driving up your energy costs.

Decreased Comfort Levels

Know what is even worse than paying too much to cool your home due to a dirty air filter? Paying too much to do so, even as your comfort plummets! This is a real risk if you let your air filter get too dirty. Not only will your system burn through more energy as it struggles to cool your home, it will also fail to deliver cooled air throughout the whole house effectively. You may notice that areas further from your air handler simply are not as comfortable as others.

Increased Risk of Damages

Perhaps the greatest reason for changing your air filter regularly–even more than protecting your comfort and your budget–is protecting the air conditioning system itself. If your AC is trying harder and harder to force air through a clogged filter, that wear and tear can result in serious damages to the system. The decreased airflow could also lead to ice on the system as the evaporator coil gets too cold, and this layer of insulation will only impede operation further.

Changing your air filter as recommended by the manufacturer and being careful to use only those filters designed for use with your specific system are some of the best ways in which to get the most out of your AC. Do so, and you’ll be able to keep your cool this summer.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for your AC services. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Common AC Issues: Blowing Warm Air

May 8, 2017

One of the greatest luxuries that we, as homeowners, have is the ability to keep our homes cool and comfortable during the hottest time of the year. If you use a central air conditioner to cool your home, you already know how effective, efficient, and reliable these systems can be.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a 100% reliable mechanical system, and your air conditioner is not the exception to this rule. Any number of issues may develop with your AC, including problems with the system blowing warm air. There are a few reasons why you may encounter this phenomenon.

Is Your Thermostat Set Properly?

This sounds obvious, but sometimes in the heat of the moment concerned homeowners forget to check the “obvious” possibilities before calling for repairs. If your thermostat is set too high or is in a “fan-only” mode, then the air that the system is sending out into your home is not going to feel as cool as it should. You don’t need a professional technician to readjust your thermostat, of course.

Is the Breaker Tripped?

If your outdoor unit and indoor unit are on separate circuits, which is almost certainly the case, then you may have a tripped breaker to the compressor unit outside. If this is the case, then your indoor unit may still be working but is blowing unconditioned air throughout the house. A flip of the switch is all that is needed to get your system back up and running properly.

Is It More Serious?

Possibly. The quick fixes that we mentioned above are definitely your best case scenarios if and when your AC in Windsor, CO starts blowing warm air. If there is no obvious cause of the problem, you could be dealing with a refrigerant leak, damaged ductwork, or a number of other issues. Our technicians will get to the bottom of it in order to resolve the situation entirely.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle your air conditioning services. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Can Ductless Air Conditioning Save Money?

May 1, 2017

Chances are that, yes, ductless air conditioning can help to save you some money. It is important to keep in mind, of course, that not every air conditioner is right for every home or for homeowner. If you are one of those many homeowners interested in the benefits of ductless air conditioning, however, you can count on the professionals on our staff to ensure that your new system suits you and your home.

Following are a few of the ways using a ductless mini split can help to chip away at your energy costs. If you have any questions about this type of cooling system, please get in touch with us. Our goal is to guarantee your 100% satisfaction with your AC, as well as the way it performs. When you choose a ductless mini split in Loveland, CO, you’re already well on your way to reaching that goal.

No Ducts, No Leaky Ducts

One of the major points of energy inefficiency in modern AC systems is the leaky air duct. Ducts are largely hidden from view, installed between floors and behind walls in residential properties. This makes sense, as you really don’t want to be staring at exposed ductwork in your home. It also makes it rather difficult to visually inspect your ductwork, however, which is why so many homeowners wind up using compromised air ducts to distribute conditioned air throughout their homes.

When you wind up doing this, you are wasting energy. No, not all of it goes to waste. After all, that cooled air is winding up somewhere in your home. However, it’s not necessarily making it to its intended destination. That means your system may wind up working overtime in order to evenly cool your home, burning through energy in the process.

Better Cooling Control

When you use a forced-air comfort system, you may choose integrate a zone control system into the AC. When you use a ductless mini split to cool your home, however, this is just standard operating procedure. No extra equipment is needed for zone control, since you simply operate the individual blowers with their own independently operated thermostats.

Being able to cool those areas of your home that you wish to, only as much as you wish to, is a great way to cut down on energy costs. In fact, you may wind up paying less for more comfort. That sounds like a good deal to us.

Did We Mention Efficient Heating?

If not, it’s only because we’ve saved the best for last! Ductless air conditioners, though they do come in cooling-only models, are most commonly configured as heat pumps. This means they can be used to both heat and cool your home. It also means their method of heating is extremely efficient.

You see, heat pumps don’t generate new heat from scratch. Instead, they use existing heat in the air outside in order to heat the interior of homes. This means that you can enjoy great comfort all year long from one system, along with outstanding energy efficiency.

Schedule your AC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust…

AC Repair Tip: When to Schedule Service

April 17, 2017

The only “good” time for an air conditioner to break down is during those cool months of the years when you are not using it anyway. Obviously, if you are not using your system, it is not going to have a chance to break down. The fact of the matter is that your AC is always going to give out on you when you actually need it, and that can leave you dealing with uncomfortable conditions until the problem can be resolved completely.

For precisely this reason, you’ll hopefully never allow problems to develop to the point that a complete breakdown occurs. To avoid this undesirable fate, you need to learn to spot the signs that your system is in need of repairs, and you need to remember that you are always best served by scheduling prompt AC repairs in Fort Collins, CO.

So When Do I Call for Air Conditioning Repairs?

Ideally, you will contact a member of our team to schedule air conditioning repairs the moment that you have reason to suspect that there is something wrong with your system. We advise our customers there is really no problem too “minor” to warrant professional attention.

Now, there are some situations in which alarm bells may ring, but there is an obvious and simple solution to the problem. For instance, you don’t need us to come out and adjust a thermostat that you accidentally set improperly. If there is no clear cause of the situation, however, you should get us on the phone ASAP.

Is your air conditioner costing too much to run? If you’ve spent a few summers in your home already, then you probably know what to expect as far as costs associated with running your AC. If you notice inexplicable spikes in your energy costs when you are using your air conditioner, problems affecting its efficiency could be to blame.
Is your air conditioner making strange or unusually loud sounds? If so, let us know right away. There are a lot of different issues that could be in play. Hissing sounds could indicate refrigerant leaks, while screeching sounds could mean you have worn belts or lack sufficient lubrication on the moving parts.
Is your air conditioner blowing warm air? Don’t ignore the issue or convince yourself that cranking up the AC is the way to go! While you may just have a thermostat set incorrectly, or perhaps the breaker servicing your outdoor unit has tripped so the air isn’t being cooled before being distributed, it could be much more serious. Refrigerant leaks, damaged ductwork, and other problems could be to blame.
Is there ice on your air conditioner? You may just have a dirty air filter, which is restricting airflow and causing the problem. However, again, the dreaded refrigerant leak could be to blame. Of course, you may just need your evaporator coil cleaned, as well.

Diagnosing a problem accurately is just as important as resolving it correctly. You need trained professionals to guarantee that your air conditioner is in prime working condition and that all is well.

Schedule your air conditioning repairs with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Grand Opening – Join Us Saturday, March 11th, 10am-2pm for the opening of our NEW Sales and Showroom Office!

March 6, 2017

We are pleased to announce the grand opening of our new sales and showroom office at 1700 S College Avenue. Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning brings over 80 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry and is committed to providing expert service at sensible prices.

Our Grand Opening will be on Saturday, March 11 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Regardless of your current heating and cooling needs, come for FREE BBQ, refreshments, door prizes and other special offers only available to those who drop in; you’ll even get to mingle with Mitchell Frank — the voice of our jingle! We extend this invitation as our way of introducing ourselves to the neighborhood.

Let us know if you can make it by viewing the event on Facebook!

3 Air Conditioning Sounds to Listen For

July 25, 2016

Your air conditioner is hopefully up and running reliably and effectively, considering how hot this summer season has been so far. If you are serious about cooling your home, you really need to know for certain that your air conditioner is not just running, but that it is actually running properly. If it is making strange, unfamiliar sounds, this is probably not the case.

Don’t worry, though. Just give the professional technicians on our staff a call the moment that you realize that your system is operating more noisily than usual. We can handle any AC repairs that you may need in Loveland, CO.

Hissing. Clicking. Banging.

We’ll mention hissing first, because it is probably the one sound that we’ll discuss that is the easiest to overlook. If your outdoor unit is hissing, after all, it may actually be drowned out by the normal operational sounds that your system is making. Should you hear hissing, though, remember that this could be the result of refrigerant leaking out of the system. That can cause serious operational problems, lead to inefficiency, and put your comfort in jeopardy. If you hear hissing in your home, it could be due to air leaking out of your ductwork.

Clicking may be the result of an electrical problem with your home cooling system. If your system is still up and running, you may be tempted to ignore some regular clicking. Because this can indicate problems like failing capacitors and faulty relays, though, you really cannot simply put it out of mind. When your system is clicking, you should be dialing—our number, that is.

Finally, there is the sound of banging to consider. This is probably the most difficult to ignore, and can really make a racket. There are a few reasons that your system may be clanging and banging, such as a bent fan blade striking a hard surface during its rotation. It could also mean that you’ve got a loose component in the system that is banging around, though.

Whatever the case, remember the company you can trust: Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Why Is There Water Surrounding My Air Conditioning Unit?

July 4, 2016

When the heat of summer is at its zenith, you really don’t want to face discomfort just because your air conditioning system has developed a problem of some kind. The fact of the matter, though, is that your AC, like any other mechanical system, is not 100% reliable. At some point, it is very likely that you are going to encounter an operational problem of some kind with your AC.

One situation that we encounter from time to time is a “water leak” in an air conditioner. That description is a bit misleading, however, as your air conditioner does not actually use water in its operation. That does not mean that you are imagining the problem, though.

So Where Is the Water Coming From?

“Okay,” you may be wondering. “There is no water in my air conditioner, and it is not an appliance connected to the plumbing. So where is this water coming from?” The origin point of that water is actually the air itself.

You see, your air conditioner draws moisture out of the air as it cools it. This moisture collects on the evaporator coil as condensation. That condensation is removed from your home via a condensate drain pan and drain line. If that pan is misaligned or cracked, or the drain line is leaking, the water can wind up pooling around your indoor AC unit.

Another potential cause of your water issue is defrosting ice. While your air conditioner is obviously there to cool your home, it should not generate ice. Ice can develop on the evaporator coil, though, if you have a very dirty air filter that is restricting airflow over the coil, or if refrigerant levels are low due to a leak. When the ice melts, it can wind up spilling out of the system.

If you need any AC services in Fort Collins, CO, contact the pros here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Why Am I Paying So Much to Cool My Home?

July 4, 2016

You’ve no doubt been running your air conditioner somewhat regularly at this point in time. Summer got off to a hot start, and it’s going to be a while before any sort of lasting relief sets in. If running your AC has come with the shock of very high energy costs, you may want to start thinking about ways in which to cool your home more efficiently and affordably. Following, you’ll find some examples of common reasons for an inefficient cooling experience. If you have any further questions, or you require any air conditioning services, remember that we are the company you can trust.

Poor Maintenance Practices

Let’s start off with one possibility that, if the root cause of your inefficiency issues, lands squarely on your shoulders. You must—must—schedule routine air conditioning maintenance services each and every year. If you fail to do so, there is just no way in which you can hope for your home cooling system to function as efficiently as possible, let alone reliably and successfully. The cumulative effects of a season’s worth of wear and tear will make it impossible for your system to excel in this manner.

Subpar Insulation

Do you feel hot spots throughout your home when you walk through it? If so, this could be indicative that you have subpar levels of insulation in those areas. It’s also possible that your insulation has deteriorated over time due to moisture damage, or that pests have compromised its integrity. Whatever the cause of the problem, having your insulation replaced or bulked up by a qualified party can help you to keep heat out of your home, and to keep your energy costs low.

Low SEER Rating

Finally, remember that your air conditioner may be operating just fine, but that it may not have a very high SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating. If you’ve always struggled with high cooling costs, or if this is the first summer that you are using the existing AC system in a new-to-you home, check the SEER. Older systems may have a SEER of 6 or less, but the scale goes up to 25. Modern regulations mandate a minimum SEER of 13/14, depending upon location. You may want to upgrade on a newer, more efficient system now, and enjoy long-term savings as a result.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning install and services your air conditioner in Wellington, CO.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Air Conditioning

First Things First: What Is Freezing?

Causes of the Freezing Coil

Is My Thermostat Really That Big a Player?

Why Upgrade, Though? My Thermostat Is Working Fine

Increased Airflow Resistance

Decreased Comfort Levels

Increased Risk of Damages

Is Your Thermostat Set Properly?

Is the Breaker Tripped?

Is It More Serious?

No Ducts, No Leaky Ducts

Better Cooling Control

Did We Mention Efficient Heating?

So When Do I Call for Air Conditioning Repairs?

Hissing. Clicking. Banging.

So Where Is the Water Coming From?

Poor Maintenance Practices

Subpar Insulation

Low SEER Rating

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

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