Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Do Ductless ACs Really Work?

Friday, July 25th, 2014

There are a lot of options these days when it comes to choosing an air conditioner for your home, and one that has gained popularity over the last few years is the ductless AC. The question of do they work is simple: yes, they do. But the more important question is: is a ductless AC right for your air conditioning in Trabuco Canyon, CA? The best way to truly answer this question is by working with an air conditioning specialist, like the ones at Saddleback Plumbing, but to get you started, it helps to understand how a ductless system works and what its benefits are.

How Does a Ductless AC Work?

A ductless air conditioner is similar to a traditional split-system AC in that it has an outdoor unit that houses the condenser and compressor, but instead of using ducts to deliver the cool air, it uses individual blowers. These blowers are connected to the outdoor unit via a small conduit placed in an exterior wall that carries refrigerant to the blowers; the conduit also holds the drain pipe and a power line. The blowers can be mounted against walls and ceilings, hung from ceilings or left free-standing; they just need to be close to, or on, an exterior wall so that it can be connected to the outdoor unit. When a blower is turned on, the refrigerant begins to flow and the normal air conditioning cycle begins. Each blower is independently operated and a single outdoor unit can support up to 4 blowers.

Benefits of a Ductless AC System

There are benefits to a ductless air conditioner that you may not see with a traditional split system or window unit:

  • No ducts needed – as the name indicates, and as explained above, you do not need to install expensive ductwork to accommodate this type of system.
  • Better energy efficiency – because each blower operates on its own, you automatically have zone control; in other words, you only cool the areas you want and need to. This saves on energy usage, which you’ll see in your monthly energy bills.
  • Customized comfort – each blower is fully programmable and comes with a remote control for easy use. You are in total control of the temperature all the time.
  • Easier installation – the conduit to connect the blowers to the outside unit requires a small, drilled hole, about 3” in diameter, in an exterior wall. This is far easier than dealing with ductwork.

Is a Ductless Air Conditioner A Good Choice for You?

The best way to determine if any air conditioning system is the best fit for your home is to work with a trained professional. Since 1981, Saddleback Plumbing has helped many customers in Trabuco Canyon, CA install great air conditioning systems into their homes.

If you have questions about whether or not a ductless air conditioner is right for you, call Saddleback Plumbing and schedule an appointment with one of our installation specialists.

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Scheduling AC Repairs During a Heat Wave

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA doesn’t always arrive at the most convenient times. We’ve already seen our share of hot temperatures this year and the summer is looking like one for the record books. Ideally, your air conditioner will perform reliably throughout the cooling season, which you can help ensure by scheduling regular maintenance sessions. But what happens when your air conditioner conks out at the very worst possible time? What do you do about scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave?

Generally speaking, you should turn your air conditioner off any time there’s a problem, regardless of whether it will still run or not. To do otherwise risks serious damage to the system with a correspondingly higher repair bill. Once the unit is off, you need to gauge the general safety levels to the heat and whether you can safely stay in your home. If you have access to fans, run them. Keep hydrated with plenty of water, and close blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight from shining into your home. If you can, head somewhere that offers air conditioning, whether it be a friend’s house, a nearby shopping mall or a public library. That way, you can stay cool and comfortable while you plan for a repair session.

With your immediate concerns out of the way, you should look for a service that provides quick and reliable repairs. Ideally, they should offer 24 hour service. Even if you don’t need it, it’s a sign of a company that can work confidently under pressure, and get you air conditioner repaired as quickly as possible. In those cases, the experts at Saddleback Plumbing are on call to move with speed. Summers in Southern California can be a killer and emergency air conditioning sessions, while unwanted, can be a serious matter. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA and our trained staff is ready to handle any problem you might encounter. That way, you can get back to a comfortable home without worrying about the health and safety of your family. If you’re interested in scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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When to Repair Rather than Replace Your AC Unit

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

If you have an old air conditioning unit and it runs into trouble, you need to seriously consider whether the time has come to replace it. Sooner or later, every air conditioner needs to be replaced and if you feel like yours has given up the ghost, you may need to accept that reality. But just because you can replace an older unit doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Specifics vary, and here in Irvine, air conditioning installation services can give you specific advice on when to repair rather than replace your AC unit. We’ve provided a few more general tips below.

In the first case, you should look at how extensive the specific repair is and how much it will cost to make it. A relatively minor repair might be worth it, which a major one could start to look like throwing good money after bad. To that, you should look at the overall frequency of repairs, and whether this is a seeming anomaly, or just one of a long line of problems experienced by your air conditioner. If it hasn’t been much trouble overall, then a repair is probably the most appropriate response.

In addition, you should take a close look at your monthly energy costs, and compare it to similar costs earlier in the air conditioner’s life. A lack of efficiency is a huge reason to consider purchasing a new unit, and if your current unit is still performing well, there’s no need to install a new one just yet. Similarly, if you haven’t had your existing unit for that long, there’s probably not a huge demand to put in a new one, not when you can still get a great deal of use out of the existing unit. In both of these cases, regular maintenance sessions from a trained technician can help improve your unit’s efficiency and ensure that it lasts a good long time.

In the end, every system is different, which is why professional consultation is usually in your best interests. Advice on air conditioning installation in Irvine, CA can be provided by the experts at Saddleback Plumbing. We can give you sound advice on when to repair rather than replace your AC unit, and can perform both repairs and installations with professionalism and pride. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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How Does the SEER Rating Affect New Air Conditioners?

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

When you begin to plan for new air conditioning installation in Laguna Hills, CA to prepare for the summer heat, you will have to wade through a large number of technical specifications about the various models available. Most of these specs will only have meaning for HVAC professionals, but there are a few about which you should have some basic understanding in order to guide your decision.

Perhaps the most crucial air conditioning specification to understand is SEER, which stands for “seasonal energy efficiency rating.” It isn’t too difficult to understand, and the rating will help you understand how much it will cost you to run a new air conditioner.

SEER is important, but it is not the only factor to understand. For the help seeing the big picture, bring professionals installers into the selection process early on and let their technical knowledge guide you. Saddleback Plumbing has helped residents of Orange County since 1981 find the ideal ACs to make their homes pleasant through the long warm season. Call us today. You’ll be glad you did.

What SEER measures and why it’s important

“Seasonal energy efficiency rating” is a measure of how well an air conditioning system converts its energy source, electricity, into cooling power. It is a ratio of the cooling produced in BTUs (British Thermal Units) to the amount of energy used in kWh (kilowatt-hours) as measured over a season. The higher the number, the more efficiently the air conditioner uses electricity, and the less it will cost to run.

The standard lower end of SEER is 14, the minimum requirement for an air conditioner to receive the ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Department of Energy. High-efficiency models can have 20–22 SEER. Higher SEER usually means a more costly unit, but with a short payback period. Check with your installer to see if the model you are interested in will give you a good return on your investment.

Make sure that SEER is not your sole guide for choosing a new AC. You want a system that matches your budget and also has sufficient power to cool your entire house to the level you want. The installers will help you balance all the considerations so that your air conditioning installation in Laguna Hills, CA goes exactly as you planned.

Saddleback Plumbing takes pride in the fast and professional service we provide. Contact us today and we will put our experience and knowledge to work for you and your family this summer.

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Air Conditioning Repairs to Consider Before Summer

Friday, April 25th, 2014

Summers in Irvine can be lovely but they can also be intense. If your air conditioner breaks down during the summer months, you might be in for an unpleasant stretch waiting for emergency repairs to arrive. (Many other people will probably have their ACs break down on the same day.) To help prevent serious air conditioner malfunctions during the upcoming hot season, have all necessary repairs done now—even if you aren’t currently using your AC.

Since 1981, Saddleback Plumbing has helped homeowners in Orange County stay cool during the long summers. Our many years of experience make us an ideal choice when you need air conditioning repair in Irvine, CA.

Here are some of the repairs you should have taken care of during the spring if they’ve started to affect your air conditioning. All of these problems will grow worse without attention, so make the call today for repairs right away.

Recharge the Refrigerant

People sometimes ignore the appearance of frost along the indoor evaporator coil because it seems appropriate on a device that is sending out cold air. But ice on the coil usually means that the AC has lost its refrigerant charge due to leaking. Other signs of refrigerant leaks are hissing sounds and a drop in cooling. If the refrigerant isn’t recharged, the AC will eventually lose its cooling power and the condenser will suffer serious damage. Repair technicians will locate and seal any leaks, and then restore the refrigerant to its proper level.

Fix or Replace Failing Motors

When you hear a grinding noise coming from the AC cabinet, it usually indicates that one of the motors is failing. This can happen because of dirt, loss of lubricant, or overheating. Often, the whole motor will need replacement.

Stop a “Hard Starting” Compressor

An air conditioning system is “hard-starting” when the compressor stutters as it comes on and soon shuts off before completing its cooling cycle. There could be a number of reasons for this, such as low line voltage, a failing start capacitor, a tight or seized compressor motor, or a compressor near the end of its life. A repair technician can sometimes fix hard starting with a “hard start” kit, but in some cases the compressor will need to be replaced.

Whatever repairs your air conditioner needs, don’t try to do them yourself. ACs are intricate machines, and amateur repair attempts can cause the problem to worsen. A trained technician will need to investigate the problem and zero in on the exact cause so he or she can provide an accurate repair.

Don’t delay on any repairs, whether your air conditioning is hard starting, making odd noises, or causing hot spots in your home. Call Saddleback Plumbing and talk to our Irvine, CA air conditioning repair specialists today. Make sure you also sign up for our Membership Value Program to keep your air conditioning running each year with professional maintenance.

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Reasons Why Your Air Conditioning System May Be Making Loud Noises

Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

If you’ve ever had an air conditioning system in your home, the regular sounds it makes will be familiar to you: the whir of the fan and the hum of the compressor. Anything out of the ordinary, such as loud and unpleasant noises, is usually a sign of a malfunction or an impending one. If left unattended, this problem might eventually cause your air conditioner to cease working entirely. Whatever you do: don’t shrug off loud noises and hope they are only a temporary nuisance. When you decide you need expert help to figure out why your AC has started making loud sounds, contact the staff at Saddleback Plumbing. We offer 24/7 emergency ac repair services, so we can help get your air conditioner working right again at any time of the day.

Some of the usual suspects for an AC making loud noises include:

Low refrigerant charge: The fixed amount of refrigerant in your AC—it’s “charge”—can start to leak, damaging your system’s cooling power. It will also cause a loud noise in the compressor. This sound could also occur if the wrong type of refrigerant is put into the air conditioner, which is why recharging the refrigerant should always be left to HVAC experts.

Loose motor parts: If the moving parts in the motors that run the fans and the compressor suffer damage, they can create unpleasant rattling and grinding sounds. The motors will need repairs and perhaps replacements.

Damaged fan belt: The fan motors are hooked to the fans with belts, similar to the belts you find in car engines. If the belt is damaged or comes loose, it will start rubbing against other components and make strange sounds. This needs repair as soon as possible before the belt can damage other parts of the AC’s interior.

All the problems above need professional attention in order to fix them properly and safely. Don’t pry open the air conditioner cabinet to inspect the problem yourself and fiddle with any mechanisms. Contact a technician to discover the source of the problem and to repair it.

Avoid getting stuck with a busted AC in Irvine, CA. Air conditioning repair is only a phone call away with Saddleback Plumbing.

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3 Things to Think About During Your Air Conditioning Installation

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Getting a new air conditioning system is an exciting but stressful time. This is a big decision and one that you have to live with for many years. If something goes wrong with the installation process the consequences can impact your home’s comfort and efficiency for a long time. Here at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. we offer a full range of San Juan Capistrano air conditioning installation services and we wanted to help our customers get the best possible installation that they can. Here is a quick explanation of 3 things that you should consider during your AC installation process.

San Juan Capistrano Air Conditioning Installation Tip: 3 Things to Remember

Take a look below at the top 3 things you should think about during your AC installation project.

  • The size of your new AC – One common mistake that we see homeowners make is that they run out and just buy the biggest system that they can thinking that it will provide them with more cooling. However, the opposite is usually what happens. If your AC is too large it will turn on and off again which is something that we call “short cycling”. This will cause hot and cold spots throughout your home, inefficient operation and it could increase the need for repair. Make sure that you work with a professional contractor that will perform the necessary calculations that will determine exactly what size system you need.
  • Type of air conditioner –Before you just go get the exact same type of air conditioner that you had before you may want to think about other types of systems. There are some other types of systems that offer homeowner some pretty impressive benefits. Ductless mini split air conditioners often are more efficient because of their lack of ducts and they also provide zone control as well.
  • Regular maintenance – Once your air conditioning system is installed, don’t forget to schedule regular maintenance visits for it. This is one of the best things that you can do for the life and performance of your system. Getting regular maintenance for your system could increase efficiency, reduce repair and also extend the life of your system.,

If you need San Juan Capistrano air conditioning installation services, just call us here at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.

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Here Are Your Laguna Hills Air Conditioning Installation Options

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Choosing a new air conditioning system for installation in your home is rarely as simple as it sounds. Not only must you find a good contractor to handle the job, but you must also familiarize yourself with the many air conditioning installation options available on the market today. Why not kill two birds with one stone and contact the Laguna Hills air conditioning installation professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.? We have a great selection of air conditioning systems for you to choose from, and we have the years of training and experience necessary to ensure that you get the best performance possible from that system. Call now to discuss your air conditioning installation options.

Split central air conditioners are still the most common residential air conditioning option. They feature an outdoor condensing unit, which houses the noisiest parts of the system so that you do not have to listen to them inside. The indoor components of the system utilize a ducted forced air distribution system in order to circulate cooled air throughout your home. This allows for very even, comfortable cooling, provided that the air conditioning installation is completed by a qualified professional.

Another great option is a heat pump. Heat pumps also use air ducts in order to distribute air throughout your home. Unlike traditional air conditioning systems, though, they do not depend upon the consumption of fuel in order to cool the air distributed. Instead, they utilize the heat transfer process to move heat from one area to another. This allows your heat pump to cool down your home with greater efficiency than ever before.

If your home cannot accommodate bulky air ducts, don’t worry. We also offer great ductless mini split systems for installation throughout the area. No air ducts are required with this type of air conditioning system, as the outdoor components are connected to the indoor ones by a simple conduit containing refrigerant and power lines. The wall mounted blowers used cool rooms directly, so there is no opportunity for energy loss.

When you are ready to schedule an air conditioning installation in Laguna Hills, contact the professional technicians at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. We can answer whatever questions you may have to ensure that you get the best AC for your unique needs. Call now to learn more.

 

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Common Summer Air Conditioning Repair Problems in Tustin

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

This summer you’re probably going to be running your air conditioning quite a bit in order to stay cool. All the use that your AC equipment gets could cause it to break down. If you need air conditioning repair in Tustin, make sure that you call Saddle Back Plumbing, Inc. We know how important it is for you to stay comfortable during the summer heat, which is why we put together a quick explanation of the most common problems that you could face with your air conditioner.

Do You Need Air Conditioning Repair in Tustin?

As you start to use your air conditioning system more and more this summer, keep an eye out for the following issues that could happen with your AC system. If you start to notice these or other problems developing with your air conditioner, just call the Tustin air conditioning repair experts at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.

  • Not enough cooling – When you turn on your air conditioner, does it blow warm air or not enough cool air? This is a common problem that is very frustrating for homeowners. It could be caused by a broken thermostat, but it could also be something more serious like the fan motor or the compressor motor. The Tustin air conditioning repair professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. can help.
  • New noises – Has your air conditioning system started to make a squealing noise or a hissing noise? These are both common issues that we get called in for frequently. Squealing is usually indicative of an old fan belt, while hissing is caused by a refrigerant leak.
  • The air filter – Before you start running your air conditioner every day this summer, make sure that you change the air filter. Your AC has an air filter that keeps dirt, dust and insects from getting into the moving parts on the inside. If that air filter isn’t changed regularly and it gets clogged, it could cause huge problems for your AC including insufficient cooling, more repairs and reduced efficiency.

For all of your air conditioning repair in Tustin, call Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. today.

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Air Conditioning Tip 2 : Go Ductless This Spring

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Spring is the right time to begin thinking about your air conditioning system. If you have not scheduled routine Irvine, CA air conditioning maintenance yet this season, now is the time to do so. If you are thinking about scheduling a new air conditioning installation before the heat really sets in, you had better get started soon. Remember not to rush the decision making process, though. There are a number of different air conditioning systems available, and finding the right one for your home and cooling habits is important. Contact Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. today to discuss the benefits of going ductless this spring.

Ductless mini splits have long been a preferred cooling option in commercial settings. In recent years, though, they have become more and more common in residences. There is very good reason for this, as ductless mini splits have a lot of benefits to offer homeowners. If your home cannot accommodate bulky air ducts, or if you do not have existing ductwork and are trying to avoid the expense of an installation, going ductless is a great solution.

Ductless mini split air conditioning systems eliminate the need for ductwork by connecting an outdoor unit to individual, wall mounted blowers with a simple conduit containing power and refrigerant lines. This design not only makes ductless mini splits a perfect option for houses without ductwork, but it also allows them to operate without risking the energy loss that is so common with ducted forced air distribution systems.

Thanks to the use of wall mounted individual blowers, it is also very easy to take advantage of zone controlled air conditioning when using a ductless system. This helps you to further conserve energy by allowing you too cool only those rooms you wish to. You no longer need to cool your entire home just to keep one or two occupied rooms comfortable.

For more information about ductless mini split installation services, contact the Irvine, CA air conditioning professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. today – (949) 333-0571. Our skilled technicians can answer any questions that you may have. Call now for the information you need to find the right air conditioning solution for your home.

 

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