Johansen & Anderson Inc Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Is There Ice on Your Air Conditioner?

Monday, August 19th, 2024
feathery-frost-patterned-ice-crystals

Air conditioners make a lot of things. First and foremost—the reason you have an air conditioner—they make cold air. They make some noise. It shouldn’t be anything alarming or sudden, but ACs certainly aren’t silent. They also make some moisture, as the humidity in the air condenses against the cold evaporator coils like droplets on a cold soda can. 

One thing your air conditioner definitely should not make is ice. Yes, you do want the system to create coldness. But ice can actually have the opposite effect! Does that seem a little bizarre? We’ll explain exactly what we mean, why ice on your air conditioner is a bad sign, and what to do about it.

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What if I Skipped AC Maintenance This Year?

Monday, August 5th, 2024
person-making-a-thoughtful-face

Life is hectic, things come up urgently all the time, and sometimes the more routine things get forgotten when we’re busy taking care of sudden, pressing needs. And then you realize it’s August, and you never had a technician come out to give your air conditioner its annual checkup. 

What will happen now? Is it really so bad to skip a year of AC maintenance? What are the risks? Most importantly, what can you do about it at this point? We’ve got answers for you.

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Get Ready for Your AC Installation

Monday, July 8th, 2024
Homeowner-greeting-HVAC-technician-at-the-door

Whether you’re getting a new air conditioner because the old one failed completely, or just because it was getting inefficient and not doing a fantastic job anymore, you’ll surely be thrilled with your new system. Air conditioners today are more efficient and effective than they ever were before! But before you can kick back and enjoy that cold air, you’ve got to get the system installed.

How long has it been since you’ve had an air conditioner installation appointment? Have you ever done this before, or was your current system already in your home when you purchased it? Have you got some questions we could answer for you? We can tell you all about what to expect during your AC installation in Plainfield, IL, and how to get ready so it will go extra smoothly.

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Your Old Air Conditioner: Repair or Replace?

Monday, June 24th, 2024
an-old-AC-unit-in-need-of-replacing

When your air conditioner reaches the end of its life, you will be dealing with the cost and the logistical planning of purchasing a new system and having it installed. And that’s not something you want to do before it’s necessary. But you also don’t want to wait too long. Waiting could leave you in the middle of a heat wave with a dead air conditioner.

What is the right time to replace your air conditioner? Is there a point after which it’s simply not worth repairing an old air conditioner? Well, it’s a little more complex than a straightforward timeline. Here are the things to keep in mind as you’re deciding whether to repair or replace your old air conditioner.

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The Many Benefits of AC Maintenance

Monday, May 27th, 2024
smiling-technician-performs-maintenance-on-an-air-conditioner-outdoor-unit

Your air conditioner is a complex and delicate piece of equipment. It has many components, each doing separate and critical jobs that come together to create the cool air that you require in your home during the summer. And those components work hard for months, and then sit unused and gathering dust for months before being asked to start working hard again.

Your air conditioner requires maintenance! It deserves some pampering and preparation for this summer’s demand for cooling. What exactly does AC maintenance accomplish? What are the benefits? We’re so glad you asked! We’ll tell you all about it.

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Our Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Checklist

Monday, May 13th, 2024
red-pen-marking-off-boxes-on-a-checklist

A broken-down air conditioner is an unpleasant, sweaty hassle. But with summer approaching, you know it’s something you might end up dealing with. Of course, it would be terrible to wait for a technician and pay for a repair if the problem was something you could easily fix yourself. But you’re not an HVAC expert. How would you know what to do?

It’s important to leave actual repairs to the professionals. Opening up an air conditioner and tinkering around is unsafe for you and for the air conditioner, and it will void your warranty. But there are some simple things you can definitely sort out yourself if you know what to look for. Here’s a quick checklist you can use to troubleshoot a broken-down air conditioner before you decide repairs are necessary.

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Should I Get a Ductless Mini Split?

Monday, October 2nd, 2023
happy-couple-with-a-ductless-mini-split

Autumn is the perfect time of year to evaluate how your AC performed during the heat of the summer and consider whether it’s time to make a change. As you look into the available options, you might realize you don’t know much about ductless mini splits. The more you know, the better able you’ll be to make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.

We’d like to give you a primer on ductless mini splits. Consider the benefits, the reasons some people choose them, and whether one would be right for you. 

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How to Tell if Your AC Compressor Is Bad

Monday, July 10th, 2023
AC-technician-opening-the-condenser-unit-to-look-at-the-compressor

The compressor is the single most expensive component of your air conditioning system, and you do not want to ever have to replace it. Often, when a compressor fails completely, it’s a better investment to replace the entire AC system than to get a new compressor.

Your air conditioner has both an indoor unit, or evaporator, and an outdoor unit, or condenser. The compressor is located in the condenser unit and it does the critical job of pressurizing the refrigerant to keep it flowing through the system, taking in heat from your home in the evaporator coils and releasing it from the condenser coils.

So how do you protect your compressor and keep your air conditioner running for as long as possible? Know how to catch problems early! Here are some tips.

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The 5 Most Common Ductless Repairs You’ll Face

Monday, April 17th, 2023
technician-repairing-the-air-handler-of-a-ductless-system

Ductless systems are highly effective and efficient. We strongly recommend them for many homes. However, like any complex system, there are things that can go wrong. None of these issues are disasters and all can be repaired, especially if you get those repairs done promptly before problems multiply. Here are the five things that are most likely to go wrong with a ductless system so you’ll be prepared to take prompt action.

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Now Is the Perfect Time to Replace Your AC—Before the Heat Hits!

Monday, April 3rd, 2023
new-air-conditioner

Are you excited for spring? It won’t be long before flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and all you want to do is spend time outdoors. But not long after that, you’ll need to run your air conditioner so you can escape from the heat. How was your air conditioner’s performance last summer? Is it time to consider replacing it? Here are some considerations to help you decide whether you need a new air conditioner, and the reasons why replacing it in the spring is the best choice.

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