conditioner Archives - Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning

How Soon Is Too Soon To Replace the Air Conditioner?

Outdoor central air conditioning condenser unit installed beside a residential home.

When Is It Time To Buy a New AC?

Even in New England, air conditioners are a necessity. Although the average air conditioner lasts 15 years, many residents wonder if theirs can last longer with less use. Although delaying AC installation can help reduce wear and tear, air conditioners will need to be replaced regardless of how hard they work. AC installation is recommended if homeowners experience a few key signs of deterioration.

Fluctuating Temperatures

If an HVAC system does not provide enough cool air to regulate a house's upstairs and downstairs, this is a key sign of dysfunction. Regardless of the month, a working AC should cool each room at an even temperature.

Clogs within the ventilation system may raise temperatures. Since air conditioning runs through the air filters before it reaches each room, clogs prevent cool air from circulating. If there is a large blockage due to dirty air filters, this eventually affects the motor fan and compressor. When the AC must work harder to produce the desired temperature, the system can completely shut off just when it's needed the most. Air conditioner installation can be difficult once the summer begins.

The compressor helps cool the evaporator coil inside the HVAC unit. If the evaporator coil cannot expel the hot air from indoors, the home will not cool. A broken compressor may be fixable, but a professional must assess the damage before any potential air conditioning repair job.

Low Energy Efficiency

If an air conditioner is not energy efficient, it must work harder to produce cool air indoors. Even air conditioners that are designed for efficiency can have problems if AC maintenance is neglected. Annual AC inspection allows homeowners to keep their energy bills to a minimum throughout the year, but air conditioner replacement is inevitable.

The average air conditioner begins to lose its efficiency after ten years. This can be delayed by changing the air filters every three months, but even regular maintenance will not keep the AC cost-effective forever. If all components are properly working, but the AC cycles last longer than ten or fifteen minutes, this is a sign that air conditioning replacement is needed.

Homeowners are advised to pay attention to their monthly energy bills and annual expenses. By focusing on each month individually, homeowners can tell if there is a spike or gradual increase due to a malfunctioning appliance. A new air conditioner installation may help.

Which Sounds Are Normal?

An AC system is rarely silent. A light whooshing sound is normal while the AC runs because it indicates steady airflow. Soft humming noises are also to be expected, especially with older units. Other than those two sounds, a functional AC should never bang, shriek, or thump anywhere during the cycle.

The capacitor may be causing noticeable clicking sounds at the beginning of a cycle. When the capacitor malfunctions, this affects the blower motor. The clicking noises that happen as soon as the AC turns on are warning signs that the capacitor is beginning to fail. Once this sound is accompanied by a screeching noise, air conditioning replacement may be more cost-effective.

Hissing noises can be extremely startling to the household as they are not usually constant. When refrigerant cannot pass through the coiled tubing system, it usually escapes through small cracks. This is what causes the whistling sound. Once the crack enlarges, homeowners usually describe the noise as "gurgling." If this occurs, an HVAC technician is needed for repairs or air conditioning installation.

If homeowners notice a burning smell coming from the air conditioner, this is due to overheating. This is not normal and should be reported immediately to avoid potential danger.

About Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning

Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning specializes in air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair services. Call Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn how Boston, MA residents can receive 10% off air conditioning services.

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Maintain the Air Conditioner To Prepare It for Summer

Benefits of Annual AC Maintenance in the Spring

If the summer is synonymous with anything, it is air conditioning. Taking some time off and enjoying the warm weather is great, but too much of it and people run back indoors for some relief. To keep the home comfortable during the summer, the air conditioner has a lot of work to do. It can fail to keep the home cool if it isn't properly prepared. Luckily, professional HVAC technicians can help. With semi-annual air conditioner maintenance, homeowners can enjoy better efficiency, fewer repairs, and an improved equipment lifespan.

Better Energy Efficiency

With rising energy prices and increasing environmental concerns, efficiency is at the forefront of most peoples' minds. When an air conditioner runs efficiently, it will cool the home for a lower price and use less power. Air conditioner maintenance is geared towards improving the efficiency of air conditioners with:

Coil Cleaning: Air conditioners have two coils that accumulate dust and grime. When the coils are dirty, the unit's efficiency is greatly diminished. As a regular part of air conditioner maintenance, the coils are cleaned to allow smooth heat transfer.
Air Filter Replacement: Good airflow is essential for efficient AC operation. When air filters are clogged, the system must work harder to do the same amount of work. When homeowners or professionals change the air filters, the system can do its job more easily.
Checking AC Refrigerant Levels: Refrigerants must be kept at the right level to move heat out of the home. During air conditioner maintenance, professionals will check the refrigerant pressure and look for leaks that may diminish efficiency.

The System Will Need Fewer Repairs

When the family tries to enjoy the cool indoors on a hot day, the worst thing that could happen is an AC problem requiring emergency repairs. Unfortunately, if spring AC maintenance is neglected, the chances of this happening are higher.

Wear and tear causes damage to an air conditioner over the years. Over time, all the small wear and tear problems coalesce into system failure. When professionals can look for small problems, they can stop them from snowballing. During air conditioner maintenance, technicians will lubricate moving parts, check belts, and observe for excessive movement in the system's components, leading to decreased emergency repairs.

Increased Lifespan

When an air conditioner can run more efficiently, it does an easier job. As a consequence of this and fewer repairs, homeowners can enjoy a longer system lifespan. On average, an air conditioner is expected to last between 20 and 25 years. When maintenance is neglected, and the system has been left without attention, it may only last as long as 15 years. When faced with the decision to pay for annual AC maintenance or the expensive costs of premature AC replacement, it is easy to see that investing in equipment with professional AC maintenance is the better decision.

About Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning

Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning is an industry leader in AC replacement and repair. They also offer AC maintenance for residential customers. Call today for air conditioner maintenance and repair in Boston, MA.

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A Brief But Fascinating Air Conditioner History

magnifying glass with red handle enlarging the word history printed on tan paper

Magnifying glass focusing on the word "history," symbolizing the exploration of air conditioning's historical significance.

The History of the AC

Can you imagine living without an air conditioner? We often take them for granted because they’re such an integral part of our modern life. Being able to press a button and change the temperature in a room, house, or office is pretty wild when you think about it. Air conditioners are one of the most important and widely-used inventions ever. They help people stay safe from extreme temperatures, and they work untold wonders for people’s mental health, as well. This brief but fascinating air conditioner history is something you don’t want to miss.

AC Inventor Willis Carrier

Willis Carrier, inventor of the modern air conditioner, in formal attire, emphasizing his pivotal role in air conditioning history.

Born in New York in 1879, Willis Carrier would change the world before he was 30. He graduated from Cornell in 1901 with an engineering degree. Surprisingly enough, he struggled with fractions as a child. His mother taught him the importance of creative problem solving by slicing apples up to help Willis understand. Willis later said that the lesson was invaluable to him in his life and career.

Shortly after earning his degree, Willis Carrier won a job at Buffalo Forge Company. In 1902, he had the idea for what would become the modern air conditioner. But, he wasn’t concerned about controlling the temperature. Instead, he wanted to figure out a way to control humidity.

The Time Period That Enabled Air Conditioning

Vintage clock symbolizing the early 20th century era, relevant to the historical context of air conditioning invention by Willis Carrier.

Like many other important inventions, the air conditioner couldn’t have been invented without electricity. But, nevertheless, Willis Carrier used his intellect and knowledge of heating objects with steam to invent air conditioning by reversing the process.

In 1902, when the electrical air conditioner was invented, the most effective way of cooling a room was an oscillating fan. But fans did little to affect humidity. As a result, a printing plant in Brooklyn was experiencing air quality problems due to the high humidity in the plant. This problem gave Willis Carrier the idea for a device that would control humidity and temperature.

It wasn’t long before air conditioners became used in many industries. Most famously, movie theaters installed them and people packed the rooms, giving way to the summer blockbuster. It wasn’t so much the movies in those days that attracted people, but the chance to escape the sweltering summer heat.

Air Conditioner Development and Engineering

Air conditioning unit installed outside a building, surrounded by greenery, illustrating modern cooling technology related to air conditioner development.

Carrier knew that you could heat objects by sending air through heated coils. So, he decided to reverse the process, sending air through water-cooled coils. The result was astounding, and pretty soon, Carrier was able to keep the air in the printing plant at a steady 55 percent humidity.

After this initial development, more additions and innovations were made to make the air conditioners we know today. For example, in 1922 he added a central compressor to make the unit smaller, which eventually led air conditioners to be relatively inexpensive.

Today, air conditioners use refrigerant instead of water to cool the coils. But, Willis Carrier’s original air conditioner plans haven’t changed fundamentally over the years. Small improvements have been made here and there, but Carrier’s invention is relatively unchanged and used all over the world.

About Atlantic Heating and Cooling

Founded in 1962, Atlantic Heating and Cooling has been proudly serving Boston, Massachusetts, for almost 60 years. Integrity and quality workmanship are an essential part of their business model. Their techs are trained and certified experts who won’t be happy until you are.