Heating and Air Questions – Fort Walton Beach, FL
At Mills Heating and Air we have the answers to all your heating and air questions. Trust our experience. We are the local choice for all your HVAC needs.
Heating and Air Questions and Answers
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
There are a wide variety of reasons that your AC may be running but not cooling. Here are a couple of the most common ones.
- Check that the thermostat is set correctly. Make sure it is on cool and that the temperature setting has not been moved.
- A dirty air filter can block airflow and also reduce the cooling of your home. Check the air filter out and make sure you have a clean one; swap out if needed.
- Your outdoor condenser unit could be blocked or also clogged. A dirty coil can reduce efficiency and affect the amount of cool air coming from the registers. Call a pro to have it cleaned.
- Your evaporator coil is frozen. This is a prevalent issue and should be handled by a pro. A frozen coil will show signs of frost forming on the copper refrigerant line, inadequate cooling, higher utility bills, excessive condensate drain near the indoor unit, and ice on the outdoor condenser unit.
- A refrigerant leak is another reason for your AC not to cool. Without adequate refrigerant, your system will not blow cold air, will run more extended periods of time, and can cause your compressor to be damaged or to shut down.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, give Mills Heating & Air a call and schedule a technician to come out and service your system. You don’t want to be without air in the hot months.
Can you fix AC yourself?
As a homeowner, you can do a few things to make sure your Home Comfort System is operating efficiently. Beyond these few, you should contact the professional at Mills Heating & Air to address the issues.
- You can check and change the air filter regularly. Doing so will ensure that your system runs efficiently and that the air will pass through the filter easily.
- If your thermostat has batteries in it, make sure that you change them out every couple of months.
- Keep your condensate drain line clean and clear. Add ¼ cup of vinegar each month to the condensate drain pump. The vinegar will kill any harmful bacteria or buildup and make sure your system will continue to operate.
- Have your Home Comfort System serviced regularly. By having planned maintenance on your system done regularly, you find issues before they become serious, and you extend the life of your system.
Your Home Comfort System is a huge investment and can be complicated. Although there are a few things that you, as a homeowner, can do to fix or help maintain your system, typically, any work to be done would need to be by a professional. Mills Heating & Air has certified technicians trained to handle any issue. Give us a call and schedule a visit if you have any problems with your Home Comfort System.
How much does it cost to install a Home Comfort System?
The cost of installation of a new Home Comfort System will depend on many factors. The size of the system needed for your home, the capacity/ power of the system, efficiency, modification of ductwork if needed, electrical costs, and thermostats all factor in. Other things that will determine the price are the quality of the system that you are putting in and any rebates offered through your power/ natural gas provider or the manufacturer. The best way to determine precisely how much it will cost to replace your system is to contact Mills Heating & Air and have someone come out for a free estimate. They will determine the best equipment for your home and give you options to choose from that will meet your budgetary needs.
Do you save money with a Heat Pump?
A heat pump system is naturally designed to provide greater energy efficiency. It extracts heat from the air and then brings it inside. This recycled heat means that the pump expends much less electricity than if it were to create the same amount of heat on its own. It can do the opposite during the summer months by pulling the hot air out of the house and bringing it outside. This switch is seamless and happens thanks to the system’s reversible valve. Although the exact amount of savings will depend on your usage and the efficiency of the system that you purchase, you will see savings on your monthly electrical bill, and many times it’s significant.
Why should I do my AC Maintenance?
There are many benefits to having your Home Comfort System on a planned maintenance schedule with Mills Heating & Air. Including: Extending the life of your equipment, fewer repairs and nuisance calls, improving the capacity of your system, getting a discount on any repairs, repairing minor problems before they become big ones, lower your utility bills, improve the safety of the system, you are a priority customer, the agreement is transferable, we take the hassle out of remembering to schedule by calling you when it is due, and we maintain a complete history of the equipment for you.
What happens if you don’t service your air conditioner?
Like any type of technology, your Home Comfort System needs regular maintenance. The decision not to do so can be costly. The more you ignore the needs of your Home Comfort System, the more expensive the repairs can be. By not servicing your Home Comfort System, it can build up dust, which will clog the air filter, causing the system to run less efficiently and increase energy consumption. Critical moving parts within your system need proper lubrication. Without it, they will suffer and not function properly. Wear and tear on the system will happen, and you want to identify where there might be an issue before something happens and becomes costly.
Is it necessary to service your AC every year?
Mills Heating & Air recommend two visits per year, one in the spring and once again in the fall. Most major repairs can be avoided with regularly scheduled planned maintenance visits. Maintaining your equipment will reduce costly utility bills while ensuring maximum efficiency and also maximum capacities. We have a thorough 21-point inspection encompassing the entire system, from your thermostat to the air handler/furnace to the condensing unit. You must protect this significant investment in your home to ensure it has a longer life expectancy.
Is it dangerous if my AC is making noise?
Your Home Comfort System, over its life span, could make a variety of noises. Any noise out of the ordinary should be a reason for concern, and you should notify Mills Heating & Air as soon as possible. One sound you should concern yourself with is a high-pitched whistling sound. It could be an indicator of leaking refrigerant. It can damage the unit and be a severe health issue for your family. The refrigerant is a tasteless, odorless gas and can cause breathing problems and fluid buildup in the lung if exposed to it long enough. If you notice this sound, turn off your unit immediately and call Mills Heating & Air to have the issue resolved by one of our trained professionals.
What does a bad AC compressor sound like?
Many times, a bad compressor will have a clicking, rumbling, or rattling noise. It also may struggle to turn on or do what is called a hard start. Any of these issues should be repaired by a professional from Mills Heating & Air.
What causes an air conditioner to freeze up?
A lack of airflow across the coils will cause the AC to freeze up while the compressor continues to run. Dust blocking the coils acts as an insulator, trapping the cold inside the coils themselves, creating an excessive amount of freezing cold. Combined with moisture, it can create an icebox effect. The system could be low on refrigerant. If your system is low on refrigerant, ice can build up and creep up the copper pipes. This inhibits your system’s ability to manage pressures in your air conditioner.
Fort Walton Beach, FL Heating and Air Questions
Mills Heating and Air is your local choice for all your heating and air questions and answers. Contact us today for your HVAC repair, installation, or maintenance appointment.
