Air Conditioners
Here in Wisconsin, we get the “best” of both worlds—scorching, hot summers and freezing, cold winters. And, like most homeowners, you probably don’t even think about your air conditioner until those peak temperatures hit in July and August. Then, if your air conditioner isn’t working at peak performance, those oppressive temperatures can quickly make life in your home uncomfortable.
To make sure your air conditioner is working when you need it, the manufacturers recommend having your home’s cooling system inspected and serviced every one to two years. By doing so, you’re more likely to catch early warning signs that your AC needs repair or replacement before it actually fails.
Signs It’s Time for Air Conditioner Repair or Service
If you notice any of the following problems, your cooling system likely needs to be repaired or replaced:
- Water leaking
- Frozen refrigerant lines
- Are unusual sounds or smells coming from your air conditioner?
- Does performance seem to be declining?
- Has your AC stopped producing cold air?
- Has your unit outlived its life expectancy?
- Are your electric bills increasing more than normal when your unit is in use?
Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home
Choosing the right cooling system for your home is important when it comes to how satisfied you are once the unit is installed. Our expert air conditioning service professionals can help you find the cooling solution best suited to your home and lifestyle.
Things to keep in mind when choosing your home’s next AC unit include:
- Each air conditioning unit has its own Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, which can help you determine the unit’s cost of operation. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit will be.
- Units that are more than 10 to 15 years old use the old style R-22 freon. These units have been phased out of production and the freon itself has to be eliminated due to regulations requiring use of environmentally safe products.
- After 2020, R-22 freon will no longer be available as a refrigerant in air conditioning systems. As such, if you have a unit that uses freon, you will need to update your system if there are refrigerat related problems. If you’re considering having a new air conditioner installed, the new AC units have been designed to use environmentally friendly refrigerant which even doubles the air conditioner’s efficiency.
Common Air Conditioning Service Questions
If your unit isn’t cooling, you’ll want to check a few things. First, check the thermostat to make sure it is turned down. The thermostat should be set to temperature and set to “Cool.” Check that the circuit breaker is turned to “On” so that power is going to the unit.
Check the air filter and condenser: if your air filter is dirty, your condenser can freeze. If you have an outside unit, check to make sure that it is actually running and clear of debris.
If water is leaking, be sure all drain hoses are clear.
If you are unable to find the cause, you may need to make an air conditioning inspection and repair appointment.
We recommend that you do not use a cover on an outside AC unit. Using a cover can trap moisture (inviting a mold issue) and create a cozy habitat for rodents and other animals. Outside air conditioning units are designed to withstand changes in the weather, so they do not need extra protection from the elements. You can just cover the top of the unit with a piece of plywood, then turn the circuit breaker to “Off.”
Schedule an Air Conditioning Service Appointment
Weyer & Sons Heating & Cooling offers heating & air conditioning service, repair and installation services in Germantown, Hartford, Richfield, Slinger, West Bend, and the surrounding communities in Washington County. We’ve been keeping Wisconsin families cool for decades! Call or contact us today for a free estimate.