Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

3 Reasons to Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance Now

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Our Pittsburgh temperatures are starting to climb, so we know a lot of our customers are beginning to use their air conditioners more and more. Generally, doing maintenance on your AC before summer is optimal, but the truth is, if you haven’t had your AC inspected for a while, any time is a good time for maintenance. Why schedule your air conditioning maintenance in Pittsburgh, PA with Boehmer Heating & Cooling now? We’ll give you 3 reasons why now is a good time for your AC to get a tune-up:

Reason #1: Prevent Repairs

During a routine maintenance appointment, your technician will thoroughly inspect your air conditioner, clean parts like the coils and air filters, and adjust and/or repair things as needed. Items like worn fan belts, loose screws, potential electrical issues and possible refrigerant leaks are checked and fixed, if found to be faulty, helping to stave off larger repairs that can come about as a result of smaller items being left unattended. Simply put, routine maintenance helps put you ahead of the curve of potential repairs, which can save you both money and time.

Reason #2: Energy Efficiency

As the summer heats up, so does the use of your AC, and an air conditioner that hasn’t been maintained will most likely cost you more money than one that has. Why? An air conditioner that has been adjusted, lubricated and repaired as needed will run optimally; one that hasn’t won’t. Regular maintenance is a great way to help keep those summer utility bills from climbing up with the rising temperatures.

Reason #3: Indoor Air Quality

Your air conditioner takes in a lot of dirt, dust, and other airborne particles; these particles enter your system and infiltrate the air that is blown back in, compromising your indoor air quality. Cleaning is one of the main aspects of routine maintenance, including parts and filters; in addition, an AC that runs well means your comfort won’t be compromised due to a stressed or malfunctioning system.

Have a Great Summer by Scheduling AC Maintenance Now

Our temperatures are only starting to climb – is your air conditioner ready for real summer heat? The best way to find out is by scheduling a maintenance appointment.

Since 1933, Boehmer Heating & Cooling has been helping customers in Pittsburgh with their air conditioning maintenance. Don’t run the risk of having your air conditioner stop working on the hottest day of the year – call Boehmer Heating & Cooling and schedule your maintenance today!

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Air Conditioning Repair Tip: Hissing Sounds

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Strange sounds coming from an air conditioner are usually warnings that the system needs to have professionals look into it to see if there are repair needs that must be taken care of soon. Some of the more prominent warning noises are grinding and groaning mechanical sounds, screeching, slapping and clanging, and rapid clicking.

A less obvious noise, but one that is still a cause for great concern, is a hissing that sounds like escaping steam or gas. When you hear this noise from your AC, do not wait: call for air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh, PA right away. Boehmer Heating & Cooling is on call 24 hours a day to service your AC with the necessary help to get it working again and out of danger of a major breakdown.

What That Hissing Sound Means and Why It’s Serious

The hissing sound coming from an air conditioner is the high-pressure refrigerant escaping from a leak along the lines, in the coils, or from the compressor. The refrigerant inside your AC is at a set level, known as its “charge,” that must remain the same for the air conditioner to work correctly. Refrigerant does not dissipate during normal operation, so losing charge isn’t a problem…unless a leak occurs.

When the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system starts to drop, the AC will have a harder time absorbing sufficient heat along the indoor coil, and this will result in a drop in cooling power. As the evaporator coil struggles to absorb enough heat, the refrigerant will remain too low a temperature, and this will cause ice to start to form across the coil, which will further drop the heat absorption. Eventually, a solid block of ice will cover the coil and no heat exchange—and therefore no cooling—will take place.

The loss of refrigerant also means a change in pressure throughout the AC, and that can cause damage to the system. Most troubling of all is the damage that the low refrigerant can cause the compressor, which may eventually overheat without sufficient refrigerant. A burnt-out compressor usually means the whole air conditioner must be replaced.

How to Solve the Problem

The safest and surest way to deal with leaking refrigerant is to call for professionals. You will have a hard time finding the leak on your own, and even if you could seal it, you would not know how much refrigerant to recharge or even the right blend to use.

Call Boehmer Heating & Cooling when you have a hissing system that needs air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh, PA. We’ve delivered comfort since 1933.

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What You Need to Know about the Freon Phase Out

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Freon is a form of refrigerant gas, used in air conditioners for many years to help cool the air of your home. This can have an impact on your existing system, especially if you have an older system that still uses Freon as its primary form of coolant. Repair services that handle air conditioning in Brentwood can fill you in on most of the details, but with the Freon phase out well underway, we thought it would be a good idea to fill our customers in on the basics. Here’s what you need to know about the Freon phase out.

The phase out was actually kicked off in 1987, when the Montreal Protocol established a timetable for the gradual elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which damage the planet’s ozone layer. A big part of that was the Freon-based refrigerant gas R-22, which had been in regular use almost since the invention of air conditioning systems over 40 years ago. But R-22 is damaging to the environment, which means that it has gradually been eliminated in new types of air conditioner in favor of several acceptable substitutes (including Puron, Forane, and GENETRON AZ-20.) However, units that were running on R-22 when the protocol was initiated could continue to do so until they finally broke down and could be replaced by more recent versions.

We’re currently in the midst of the timetable by which we are supposed to lower the use of R-22. By January 1, 2015, the U.S. needs to have reduced its use of CFC by 90%, and by 2020, that number needs to be at 99.5%. What does that mean for you? Well, if you’re using an older system that still relies on R-22, now is the best time to consider replacing it with a new one. By definition, it must be very old and with the looming deadlines, air conditioning companies are motivated to install a brand new unit in your home. The experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling can tell you what you need to know about the Freon phase out, and install an updated air conditioning system in Brentwood.

Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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Air Conditioning in Pittsburgh: Ways to Improve Your Air Conditioner’s Efficiency

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Your air conditioner’s efficiency can translate directly into savings for you. How? The more efficient your air conditioning system is, the less energy it uses to do its job. Many systems are quite energy efficient on their own, but there are a few things Pittsburgh property owners can do to help boost the efficiency even more.

Tips on Making Your Air Conditioning in Pittsburgh More Efficient

Following are some tips our experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling have put together to help you achieve greater efficiency with your air conditioner this summer:

Change your air filters regularly – air filters can become clogged with dirt, dust and debris. By changing your air filter regularly, you can help your system’s air flow to stay consistent and healthy.

Bi-annual maintenance – having professional bi-annual inspection done on your system by an AC maintenance expert means your system will be checked for any potential problems and cleaned as needed. Cleaning and regular maintenance can go a long way toward maximizing your system’s efficiency and increasing its longevity.

Use a programmable thermostat – a programmable thermostat enables you to run your AC as needed. For instance, if your property is empty during the day, you can program your thermostat to accommodate this, as well as to start up right before you get home.

Shade indoors against daytime heat gain – throughout the day, the sun changes positions; as such, there will be one side of your home that will have the sun shining on it for the afternoon. Use drapes, shades or solar screens to help reduce the heat gain from daytime sun.

Don’t block air registers – blocking registers can interfere with the system’s air flow. Clear register areas of any curtains or furniture that may be blocking.

Keep fan setting to “auto” – the fan setting on your thermostat has 3 choices: on, off and auto. While the “off” setting is clear, there can be some confusion when it comes to “on” and “auto”. The auto setting means your system is running as it is programmed; the on setting will keep your fans running all the time. For efficiency purposes and for the better of your system, it is strongly recommended you keep the setting to auto.

Still Not Running Efficiently? Call an Expert

If, after utilizing some of these tips, your air conditioning in Pittsburgh is not running as efficiently as it should, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment.

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When Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Many homeowners with air conditioning systems have to face replacing or upgrading their air conditioner at some point. This can be a good thing for your air conditioner, as technological advancements have made air conditioning systems very effective and energy efficient, and they add great value to your home. So when should you take a good look at possibly replacing your system? Here are some tips from Boehmer Heating & Cooling to help you determine if this is the right time for an air conditioning replacement in Pittsburgh.

Assess the Overall Picture

There are multiple factors that need to be considered when looking to either replace or upgrade your air conditioning system. The first three are:

How old is the system?
How much does it cost to repair it?
What is the life expectancy of the system?

Age of Your System

When looking at an air conditioning replacement or upgrade, the first item to consider is the age of your current system. With the latest HVAC technological advancements, combined with new federal regulations, recommended that if your system should be upgraded or replaced if it is 10+ years old.. While there may be a significant cost to the initial replacement, the efficiency of a new system will show itself immediately in your electrical bills.

Cost of Repairs

If you spend a lot of money on repairs, or are looking at expensive repairs in the not-too-distant-future, you may want to start pricing out better options with an expert at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. At some point, paying for repairs simply isn’t as economically feasible as moving ahead with a new air conditioning system. In fact, it may cost you less money to replace a system rather than continue to repair it.

Life Expectancy of Your System

How much time does your current system realistically have left? This will depend in large part on its age; it’s safe to say that if your system is 8 years or older, you are looking at a replacement sooner rather than later.

Consult a Boehmer Heating and Cooling Expert

Replacing or upgrading and entire air conditioning system is a very important purchase for your property. Let a Boehmer Heating and Cooling specialist help you with any and all questions you may have about upgrading or replacing your air conditioning system. For great air conditioning services in Pittsburgh, ours is the number to dial. Give us a call today!

Tags: Air Conditioning Replacement, Pittsburgh
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Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Can I Just Scrape the Ice off the Coils?

Friday, April 18th, 2014

We use our air conditioners a lot during the summertime, when our temperatures are warm and a little cool air is a welcome relief. Unfortunately, most repairs come at a time when you need your air conditioner the most, and rather than waiting for a repairman, some homeowners might think of trying to fix the problem themselves. Take the matter of ice building up on the coils. “Can’t I just scrape the ice off the coils?” you ask (a pretty frequent air conditioning repair FAQ). In point of fact, you really shouldn’t it won’t solve the problem, and can actually make things much worse.

The problem with the ice lies in where it forms: the evaporator coils, which serve to cool the air. When ice forms, it serves to insulate the coils from the air it’s supposed to cool, making it harder for the air conditioner to do its job. It also indicates something is wrong with the refrigerant pressure in your system.

So why not just scrape the ice off? Because while the ice creates problems, it’s not the source of the issue. It forms when refrigerant levels are lower than they should be in your air conditioner, usually because of a leak. You can scrape the ice off, but it will just reform again until you seal the leak and recharge refrigerant levels. Even worse, your efforts to scrape the ice off could damage the coils, and turn a relatively inexpensive repair into an extremely costly one.

If you know you can’t just scrape the ice off the coils, the next step is to call in the experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We have the answers to many air conditioning repair FAQs you may have, and always perform repairs with professionalism and pride. If you spot ice on your coils, give us a call. There’s no one better to handle air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh!

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Are You Ready to Turn on Your AC for the Cooling Season?

Friday, April 11th, 2014

Although we haven’t hit a powerful warm spell in Pittsburgh yet, it won’t be long before the air conditioners in our homes start up their familiar hum and cool air blows from the vents for another summer season. Right now, when we still have cooler weather, you should ask yourself if you’re ready to turn on your AC for the upcoming season… or if you should take a few steps to make certain that it’s ready.

Boehmer Heating & Cooling is here to help you with your air conditioning preparations during the spring. You can call us to handle any necessary repairs, provide advice, or take care of the all-important air conditioning maintenance in Pittsburgh, PA that will give you the best assurance of quality cooling throughout the summer.

Here are some steps to take to ready your AC for cooling season

First, make sure you replace your current air filter. This filter stops dust and debris in the return vents from entering the air conditioner’s cabinet. If the filter becomes clogged (which it likely is if your heating system uses the same vents), it will choke off airflow into the AC and your AC will lose efficiency and effectiveness. A clogged filter could also allow damaging particles to get inside. Change the filter for a new one, and make sure you change it regularly for the rest of the summer.
Second, call a reputable HVAC company and arrange for a preventive maintenance visit. A skilled technician will come to your home and inspect your air conditioner, take care of the necessary cleaning, make adjustments, and test its operation so that you know the system is working at its best. You’ll have greater peace of mind knowing that your air conditioner has no major troubles brewing as it heads into summer.
Third, jump on any necessary repairs. The technician may discover that not all is right with your air conditioner and recommend repairs to take care of before you turn your AC on for the season. The technician can help you arrange for the repairs and schedule them. Never delay on having this work done, as neglect could threaten to develop into a worse problem or even a full breakdown.

Look to Boehmer Heating & Cooling for your AC needs

At Boehmer Heating & Cooling, we offer different tiers of maintenance programs to fit your needs. The Plus and Signature agreements provide you with a precision tune-up for your AC and a 15% discount on repairs, plus a reduced diagnostic charge. To find out more about the two plans, contact our specialists in air conditioning maintenance in Pittsburgh, PA today.

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The Importance of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Friday, April 4th, 2014

All air conditioning systems develop problems slowly over time as they operate. Without the intervention of a professional HVAC contractor, those problems will continue to get worse and will eventually turn into costly repairs. However, there is something that homeowners can do to potentially prevent those issues from causing the need for repairs: regular AC maintenance services. We wanted to raise awareness of the benefits of getting regular maintenance for your AC so we put together this quick explanation. Give us a call if you’re ready to schedule service and one of our friendly techs will be able to answer any questions that you might have.

Benefits of Air Conditioning Maintenance

There are a few very important benefits to getting regular air conditioning maintenance for your Pittsburgh home. Here are a few of them.

Reduced repair – The small problems that your AC develops will eventually become full-blown repairs. But when you have an expert regularly inspecting, cleaning and repair your air conditioner they will be able to find those problems early and fix them before they cause any further damage.
Extended equipment life – We often get called to replace AC systems that were effectively destroyed by small problems slowly over time. By regularly fixing those problems you could be able to keep your air conditioning system working for longer.
Increased efficiency – It makes sense that it your AC has a lot of little things wrong with it that those will cause it to have to work harder to cool your home. By taking care of those problems regularly and making sure your system is clean, you could be able to return some of the efficiency to your AC system.
Increased comfort – Finally, when your air conditioning system is operating a peak efficiency it will likely be able to keep your home and your family more comfortable.

Call Boehmer Heating & Cooling to schedule your AC maintenance visit today!

Tags: Air Conditioning Maintenance, Pittsburgh
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What’s More Beneficial for My Home: Air Conditioning Repair or Replacement?

Monday, September 9th, 2013

Any time your air conditioning unit requires repairs, it raises the question of whether you’d be better off with wholesale replacement. Air conditioning repair can address certain lingering issues, and a regular maintenance program can extend the life of your unit, but eventually, full-bore replacement may be in order. But when exactly?

The decision to repair or replace ultimately rests with individual circumstances. If the repairs are sufficiently minor and the air conditioning unit looks to keep running for the foreseeable future, it’s probably best to conduct the repair and leave the unit in place. If repairs grow too frequent or cost too much, however, then it may make more sense to install a newer and more efficient unit. It all comes down to money: how much you’re spending on repairs and upkeep versus how much the initial cost of a new unit might be.

A general rule of thumb is to evaluate your AC’s performance after ten years to see if you would benefit from a new unit. Proper maintenance can keep your AC system running for longer than that, but if you’ve passed that 10-year mark and you’re investing in significant repairs, you may want to think about a new unit. Another sure sign is the size of your electric bills every month. If your bills seem inordinately large in the summer months when you run your air conditioner – even after you’ve paid a bill to have it repairs – then the benefits of replacement may outweigh the initial cost.

A good litmus test for efficiency is the unit’s SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the air conditioner. If you’re going to replace your air conditioner, you should look for a unit with a higher SEER rating than your old one. Units with the EnergyStar sticker have a SEER rating of at least 14.

Whether you need to install a new unit or simply need to repair your old one, it pays to consult with an expert. The professionals at Boehmer Heating & Cooling handle air conditioning repairs and installation throughout the Pittsburgh area. Call us today and let us show you what we can do for you!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Pittsburgh
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Try Something New with Your Air Conditioning Replacement in Pittsburgh

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

As much as the AC experts here at Boehmer Heating & Cooling would like to tell you that you will never have to worry about problems with your air conditioner, it simply is not true. All air conditioners will need to be replaced at some point. Mechanical systems just cannot run forever. When you decide to invest in a replacement air conditioning system, give us a call. We have a great selection of home cooling systems for you to choose from, and we’ll make sure that you find the right one for your home and personal cooling preferences. Here are a few to consider.

While split central air conditioners are the most common air conditioning systems, many homeowners find that the energy efficiency problems they have with their ductwork, or the indoor air quality issues that may arise with such systems, leave them wanting something new and different. If you are interested in eliminating the use of ductwork in your home altogether, contact us today. With a ductless mini split system, individual blowers are connected to an outdoor unit via a simple conduit. No ductwork is used, and there is no way for energy to go to waste or for pollutants to make their way into that ductwork.

You may find that your air conditioning costs are too high. For a truly efficient air conditioning system, consider the installation of a heat pump in your home, which can provide both heating and cooling. These systems do no rely on the consumption of fuel in order to heat your home. Instead, they utilize the heat transfer process in order to move heat from one area to another. Only a small amount of electricity is required to do so. This allows you to heat and cool your home more affordably and in a very environmentally friendly manner.

There is no reason that you have to stick with what you know when scheduling your air conditioning replacement in Pittsburgh. Let us help you get the most from your AC. When you work with the professional air conditioning technicians at Boehmer Heating & Cooling, you can be confident in the quality of the services you’ll receive.

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