Tag: AC repair

3 Common Problems Air Conditioner Maintenance Prevents

Posted on by Larry & Sons

No one wants to deal with a broken down air conditioner in the middle of the summer, especially during a cookout or other gathering. While not all repairs are avoidable, keeping up with routine maintenance could help you prevent some of the most common problems we see here at Larry & Sons.

Properly maintaining your cooling equipment keeps it in excellent condition and helps prevent a number of common issues. Still not convinced that annual AC maintenance is worth the investment? Just consider these problems you could avoid just by giving you AC a bit of TLC.

Leaks

air conditioner maintenance in hagerstown
AC flickr photo by dslwc shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license

Each summer, we get several calls from homeowners who think they have a plumbing leak. When we get there, though, we quickly realize that all that water is actually coming from the air conditioner. Whether water comes from a plumbing pipe or an air conditioner, it can cause thousands of dollars in damage and cause problems like mold that are difficult to remedy.

When your air conditioner is working like it should, condensation collects and exits your home through the condensate drain. This drain can become clogged, though, leaving water nowhere to go. Eventually it starts leaking inside your home. When you have your system maintained, the condensate drain is inspected and cleaned to help you avoid this all-too-common problem.

Frozen Coils

Having an air conditioner freeze up may not seem like a big deal, but it is a serious problem that could cause permanent damage to your system. When the coil that is responsible for cooling the air inside your home freezes up, it loses the ability to properly circulate refrigerant and remove heat from the air inside your home.

Several problems, including a dirty air filter, low refrigerant or issues with the fan motor, can cause the coil to freeze. Having your system maintained means that they problems will be detected before they can cause serious issues.

Premature System Failure

One of the main reasons to keep up with maintenance is that it helps prevent premature system failure. Modern cooling systems are built to last for several years, but without maintenance, parts begin to wear out. If they are not repaired or replaced, the entire system could eventually fail long before it should.

At Larry & Sons, we offer professional air conditioning services in Hagerstown, Frederick and the surrounding areas. Our technicians are here to help your cooling system run at peak efficiency and keep you and your family comfortable all summer long. If you are overdue for AC maintenance or if you need a hand with minor or major AC repair, contact us today by calling 310-733-5428.

What Constitutes an AC Emergency?

Posted on by Larry & Sons

The dog days of summer are here, and we’ve had some pretty sweltering weather lately. When it’s hot and your air conditioner isn’t working properly, it’s obvious that you need repair as quickly as possible. But what happens when your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of the night or on a weekend?

You might already be aware that our call center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but when is an air conditioner problem an emergency? While we can help you determine whether you need emergency service when you call or if you can wait until regular business hours, here are a few examples of what constitutes an AC emergency. What Constitutes An AC Emergency

If you are experiencing any of the following problems with your air conditioning system, we recommend contacting us right away.

Strange Sounds

An unusual screeching sound could indicate something relatively simple like a loose fan belt, or it could be s gin of a potentially dangerous problem like the compressor operating at a high level of pressure. If you’re hearing a strange sound that seems excessive, turn off the system immediately and contact us for AC repair.

No Air Flow

Whether you unit won’t kick on or if it kicks on but there is no air flow in your home, it could be a symptom of a major system failure. The potential causes of the problem are numerous, and without professional training, it would likely be impossible to diagnose the problem yourself.

Unusual Smells

A burning odor is usually a sign of an electrical complication that has become so severe that the damaged component is actually burning. If your AC system smells like it’s burning, that definitely constitutes an emergency. Turn off the power and contact us immediately for help.

Emergency AC Repair

When you need emergency AC repair in Hagerstown, trust the cooling experts at Larry & Sons. We’ve been serving the area for several years, and we have the knowledge and experience to tackle any air conditioning problem. For fast, dependable repair, call 301-733-5428 now.

Avoiding Heat Stroke

Posted on by Larry & Sons

The official first day of summer has finally arrived, and temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s and low 90s in the Hagerstown area for the next several days.

In this weather, heat stroke is a major concern. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent heat stroke.

How to Prevent Heat StrokePrevent Heat Stroke

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are serious conditions that can occur any time the body becomes overheated. It can happen anywhere – indoors or out – and it requires immediate medical attention. Without prompt treatment, heat stroke can cause hear, brain, kidney and muscle damage, and in extreme situations, it can be deadly.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is crucial whether you’re spending your day indoors or out, especially if you don’t have an adequate cooling system. You could be dehydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty, so it’s important to drink throughout the day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they can make dehydration worse.

Understand the Symptoms

Despite your best efforts, indoor heat stroke can strike. Learning the symptoms can help you recognize the signs right away and seek prompt medical attention. The symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke include:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek air conditioning. If the symptoms do not subside within 30 minutes or if you’re experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing, call a doctor or go to the emergency room right away.

Have Your Air Conditioner Inspected

Being proactive and having your cooling system inspected and serviced is a good way to prevent a breakdown during the hottest days of summer. Annual inspections allow technicians to identify and correct problems before they result in cooling emergencies. Your technician will also clean and tune the unit to ensure that it functions at peak efficiency, keeping your home safe and cool.

Hagerstown, MD AC Repair

Do you need Hagerstown, MD AC repair? If so, trust Larry & Sons for the help you need. From cooling system inspection to AC repair and new air conditioning system installation, we do it all. Give us a call now at 301-733-5428.

Air Conditioning Myths Debunked

Posted on by Larry & Sons

You’re more than likely familiar with the phrase, “Well if it’s on the Internet it must be true.” This is often a sarcastic remark in response to outrageous claims, and unfortunately, when it comes to saving money, we’ll believe just about anything we read.

Air Conditioning Myths Debunked

Air Conditioning Myths

Some of the tips and tricks you hear and read online can actually have negative effects, especially when it comes to expensive equipment like heating and air conditioning equipment.

We’ve debunked some of the most common air conditioning myths that claim to cut costs or provide more efficient comfort. Before we tell you the answers, can you guess which ones are myths and which one is true? No peeking!

1. Ceiling fans keep rooms cool.
2. Turning the thermostat way down will cool your home faster.
3. Annual tune-ups will extend the life of your air conditioner.
4. An air conditioner with a higher efficiency rating will by default save you energy.
5. Changing your air filters once a year should suffice.

Think you’re an A/C expert? See how well you did!

A/C Myths and Facts

1. Ceiling fans keep rooms cool

False: It’s often assumed that because we feel cooler in a room it must be because of the fan that’s on. However, the fan isn’t cooling the room; it’s cooling your skin! Sound confusing? The circulated air is moving across your skin, but that doesn’t mean it’s cooling the room.

Because a ceiling fan doesn’t cool a room, make sure to turn it off whenever you leave. A ceiling fan that is left on is only wasting your hard earned dollars. Nevertheless, running your ceiling fan only costs about 2 cents per hour, so don’t worry about it too much. Use your ceiling fan when you can to save on air conditioning costs.

2. Turning the thermostat way down will cool your home faster

False: Regardless of your temperature setting, your air conditioner always cools at the same rate. A cool, refreshing home sounds ideal after a long day at work, but setting the temperature way back won’t do any good, no matter the degree. If you want your home to be cool by the time you come home, we recommend setting your programmable thermostat to turn on 30 minutes before you arrive home.

Most air conditioners operate on a set speed, however, some units do offer low, high, and medium settings. If you aren’t satisfied with your current heating or cooling system, consider installing a programmable thermostat! You can set the desired temperature before you leave work so that when you arrive at home it’s cool and comfortable.

3. Annual tune-ups will extend the life of your air conditioner

True: Would you ever drive your car 50,000 miles without changing the oil or making sure it runs alright? Of course not! So why do that to your air conditioner? Much like a car, your AC system needs some good ole’ TLC once and a while. We recommend performing annual tune-ups on your AC so that you can be cool and comfortable all summer long.

As an added benefit, you can forget about all those frequent, costly air conditioner repairs! Our technicians can spot any problem before it becomes a messy and expensive affair. Annual tune-ups isn’t a service we implemented to get more money out of you; they’re designed to save you, the customer, from having to spend money on issues that could have been avoided in the first place.

4. An air conditioner with a higher efficiency rating will by default save you energy

False: We hope you didn’t feel too tricked by this statement, as it is partially true! They key to this is a perfectly executed installation. An installation that is rushed or not completed properly can cause the new unit to consume between 30 and 40 percent more fuel than it would if the installation had been completed with care and precision.

Larry & Sons employs only professional, highly trained technicians. We treat each and every service call with the care and respect it deserves.

5. Changing your air filters once a year should suffice

False: While changing your air filters is crucial, changing them only once a year is simply not good enough. Show your AC some love by changing the filters at least once every three months. A dirty filter slows down air flow, not to mention it makes way for poor indoor air quality.

Write the date on your air filter so when you go to look at it again you know when to change it

Now that we’ve cleared the air, we hope you no longer believe these AC myths! For all your home cooling needs, leave it to the experts at Larry & Sons. Got any questions? Well we’ve got the answer! Feel free to give us a call at (301)733-5428 and keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!