Air Conditioning FAQ’s

In an ideal world, you should do it before your current system fails and you are forced to make a replacement decision hurriedly. If your unit is over 10 years old, it does not meet your needs, you notice a big increase in your energy costs, or it requires regular refrigerant refills, these are a few signs you need to start looking at your options. It may only take a simple repair in some instances, but if it’s no longer safe or practical to put more money into your AC, we’ll explain that, too. Our highly trained experts will also recommend the best replacement option.

As long as you’re willing to invest in ductwork and make design provisions for it, almost any house can have central air conditioning. However, you should schedule an in-home consultation with an HVAC company like DOC Heating & Cooling first so we can give you a better idea of what is involved and also explain alternative cooling options, such as ductless split systems.

Pricing is relative to the size and efficiency of your desired system! Call us to schedule a FREE estimate. This will allow us to walk you through the MANY different options that are out there in order to get your home feeling as comfy as can be with a new cooling system!

If properly maintained, most air conditioners can last 15 to 20 years. During your annual Clean & Check, DOC Heating & Cooling technicians can usually spot and fix small problems along the way. Keeping your system maintenance up to date can help reduce costly repairs and save on your energy bill.

Before adding or replacing a cooling system, you should consult a licensed and insured HVAC expert. Our calculations take into account your home’s layout and square footage, the typical climate, how many and what type of windows there are, and even how many people live in the house. Unless you take these factors into account, it is possible that you could end up with a unit that is sized incorrectly, which will be unable to keep up with your cooling needs or last as long as expected, or one that runs continuously, increasing your monthly energy costs.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER) are used to rate the efficiency of air conditioners. If your unit has a high SEER rating, it is more efficient. A new air conditioner must have a SEER of at least 13, but modern equipment has the capability of reaching up to 21. Despite the higher initial cost of a higher SEER system, you will actually save money with the lower operating costs over its lifetime.

Keep cooling costs down by using the auto setting, which will only run the fan in order to maintain the set temperature. On the other hand, if you’d like uninterrupted airflow, use the on setting for a more consistent temperature. In addition to reducing allergies and asthma symptoms, this option will constantly filter the air as it passes through the system.

Check the basics before contacting us: check the thermostat batteries, double-check the breaker or fuse, change the air filter, make sure the system is set to cool, and that the cold setting is at least three degrees below what the room is currently set to. Call us for a complete cooling system checkup if one of these five problems is not the culprit.

There can be many causes, and the majority of them will require a professional technician. Ensure that your air filter is clean and that airflow is not restricted. Turn the system off, then turn on the fan only to speed up the thawing process if the filter was to blame. Make sure you revert back to normal settings afterward. Other causes could be, the evaporator coil needs to be cleaned or the blower motor or relay may be malfunctioning.

• Check that all air vents are open and unrestricted.
• So that your AC doesn’t run continuously while you’re away, get a programmable thermostat.
• Check your filter regularly and perform regular maintenance.
• Ceiling fans allow you to turn the thermostat up a couple degrees while still feeling comfortable.

Make air conditioner maintenance part of your spring cleaning checklist. A regular preventive maintenance program can extend the life of your HVAC system, but there is a point at which repairing it becomes too expensive. DOC Heating & Cooling will help you compare new systems and choose the best one for your home and budget when this time comes.

An outdoor condenser is built to handle the elements and shouldn’t be covered. The restricted airflow could lead to serious damage if the cooling system is accidentally turned on before the cover is removed. In the spring, we recommend a Precision Tune-up to make sure we get your AC ready for summer by removing debris, lubricating moving parts, and making routine adjustments.

Most of the time, it’s not practical to fix a window air conditioner. If you’re thinking about replacing it, you may want to consider a ductless mini split system. The system can be used in rooms that lack ductwork or if they are too hot in spite of central air. It’s more efficient, much quieter, and safer since you can run lines through just a three-inch hole in the wall, and you can lock your windows.