Navigating Air Conditioning Concerns: A Homeowner's Guide

Trane Air Conditioner

Air conditioners can be temperamental in the heat of summer, displaying a variety of sounds, behaviors, and curiosities. We receive many calls throughout the summer from panicked homeowners wondering why their units are suddenly acting so strange. Some of these are definitely cause for concern, but some are perfectly normal during the hottest months of the year. We'll even include some small things you can try to resolve the issue yourself before having to shell out a service charge to your local technician.

1. Whooshing or Intermittent Whirring Noises

Air conditioners have what is called "defrost mode" and it is part of their normal cycle. During this time, the air conditioner will not kick on as it is trying to thaw any ice or drain condensation build up on the unit. This part of the cycle should only last about 5 minutes, so if the weird whooshing noises continue for longer than that and the unit is failing to cool your home to the thermostat set temperature, you may have a larger issue. Otherwise, wait it out, and everything should return to normal shortly.

2. Air Conditioner is Not Running / Not Cooling the Home

We typically recommend checking your thermostat settings first. Make sure the thermostat is set to cool, and look at where the temperature is set to. Note the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature- if it is more than 3 degrees, and you're set to cool, you have some cause for concern.

Check your filter first to make sure it is clean and clear of any dusty film. Filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months, and you can read more about our recommendations for what kind to use and where to find them here.

If you're set to cool, have a clean filter, and the thermostat is still reading a difference of 3 degrees or more, call a service technician to make sure your air conditioner is running properly.

3. Air Conditioner is Producing Hot Air

We recommend a similar procedure as before: Check to make sure your thermostat is set to "Cool", check your filter to make sure it is clean, and check the difference between your set and actual temperatures. If you have a new filter, the thermostat is set to cool, and you're still having issues with the temperature difference, you likely have a greater issue and should call a local HVAC contractor to troubleshoot the air conditioning issue.

4. Air Conditioner is Shaking or Rattling Continuously

If your air conditioner is suddenly starting to shake or rattle, it may be settling unevenly. You can call an air conditioning service technician for this issue, or you can try to remedy the problem on your own. Most ground units are easy- use a level and some stone or mulch to lift one side of the mounting platform until it is level. Concrete pads or raised mounting brackets are more tricky, and we recommend calling in professionals for those. If leveling the condenser yourself has not remedied the issue, it's time to call a service technician. Fans and motors can cause shaking and/or rattling in the unit, so they may need replaced. The good news is, if you go with a reputable brand of air conditioner they generally have pretty great warranties for anything younger than 10 years old. Most HVAC contractors will gladly help you take care of the paperwork for this as long as the unit was registered and qualifies for a warranty.

5. Air Conditioning Maintenance

Air conditioning maintenance is the best way to avoid surprises and keep your air conditioner in good shape. Units that are well-maintained will last significantly longer than those that go without. In our experience, we expect units to last 6-10+ years longer with proper annual maintenance.

Finally, any concern you may have in regards to your air conditioner that was not listed does not automatically mean you should panic. Our technicians are happy to help you with any concern, and will gladly answer questions you may have over the phone where possible. If you aren't sure whether or not something is truly cause for concern, we're always a phone call away and here to set your mind at ease.

At Greene's Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical in Tiffin, Ohio, we care about your comfort, and we care about YOU!

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Fresh Air, Fresh Start: Air Purification Solutions For Your HVAC System

As the days become warmer, there's a certain joy in the air! Springtime is wonderful for so many reasons, but some of us take the first sign of spring as a reminder to stock up on allergy meds.

As HVAC technicians, it's our job to understand air quality and how it affects the human body. If someone complains of constant congestion or frequent headaches, the symptoms could be caused by toxins or allergens in the air. These symptoms are usually a result of environmental factors, connecting air quality in the home to the health and well-being of those living there. Carbon Monoxide causes sickness and death, dust and pollen cause allergies and respiratory issues, and mold spores cause odors and general health issues (links are to sources for the facts).

Every year, we receive a multitude of questions about improving air quality. The industry is full of solutions- some excellent, some borderline scams, and most sporting big price tags. We're going to go through our list of tried and proven air quality solutions.

Air Filters: Your First Line of Defense

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Filters should be changed regularly throughout the year as part of your usual home maintenance routine.

Not sure how often to change them? We've got another quick article about that here (HVAC Filters).

Your filter's main purpose is to protect your unit from building up with dust, hair, dander, and debris. By filtering out pollutants, but still allowing air to pass through, the filter keeps your HVAC equipment in optimal condition. Expensive anti-allergy filters are usually made with a thicker material because they're designed to let as little debris through as possible. They work great for collecting the gunk out of the air- so much so that they end up restricting airflow and putting stress on your unit. As a result, they need to be replaced more often because they get dirty much faster than a standard filter.

In our professional opinion, allergy-free filters are not worth it.

There are better solutions that will save you money in the long run and give the same, or better, results.

Mid-grade, light paper filters are your best bet for allergy season without breaking the bank or your unit. Change them more often during the worst parts of the season. You might also consider a reusable filter or an electric filter. Our customers have had great experiences with these options, and they're much better for your health and wallet.

Air Purifiers: The Best Air Purification Solution

Air purification is HUGE when combatting allergy season! Here are two of our favorite options and some associated prices from our experience:

AirScrubber by Aerus | $800 - $1000

AirScrubber by Aerus

By far, our favorite air purifier is the AirScrubber by Aerus. Their technology is cutting-edge, providing you with clean, oxygen-rich, allergen-free air. It eliminates odors, air-borne viruses, and mold to allow for a healthier home environment for you and your family as well.

Installation typically takes technicians an hour and requires a transformer to work properly. We estimate total costs to be between $800 and $1000 depending on area and company.

**Sometimes, Greene's runs a special, so check out our current deals!

For more information about the AirScrubber and how it works, click here for their website.

HALO by REME | $600 - $900

HALO by REME

The next favored solution is the Halo by REME. These units will cleanse the air of any viruses, odors, allergens, and mold with the use of hydrogen peroxide. The results are not as exceptional as the AirScrubber, but it does a thorough job of purifying the air you breathe. For maintenance, the hydrogen peroxide cartridges need to be replaced every 2 or 3 years.

Installation typically takes technicians an hour, and some additional materials may be required when fitting the unit. We estimate total costs to be around $600 to $900 depending on area and company.

For more information about the Halo and how it works, click here.

For more information about air purification options through Greene's, call our office for a free consultation. We would love to help you take control of your air quality in the way that works best for you.

Fuel Oil Furnaces: A Beginner's Guide to Maintenance

Fuel Oil Furnace

Fuel oil furnaces are known for being dependable and hearty. Their popularity has been on the decline for the last several decades, mostly because there are other options on the market more budget and eco-friendly. Because of this, it can be difficult to find information on them and even more difficult to find technicians who work on them in certain areas. The east coast and rural areas might be the two most common places to find fuel oil equipment, giving people who live there a better chance of finding some answers about these odd machines.

If you're a new homeowner and you now depend on a fuel oil furnace for heat, there are a few things you should know about them:

1. Fuel Oil Furnaces Require Annual Maintenance

Yes, that's right- REQUIRE. Out of all the HVAC equipment that exists, these ones rank in the top of the list when it comes to the importance of maintenance. Fuel oil works by burning oil, so when the unit is not cleaned regularly, it can start to soot up. This soot can cause parts to go bad, wear down the equipment, and gum up the unit. If you want your furnace to last as long as it's supposed to, it's important to get regular cleanings.

When well maintained, they last a very long time (typically 25 to 30 years) and present very few problems. If they are not well maintained, the units get gummed up, seem to always have problems, and do not run efficiently. In our experience, the life span can be cut to 10 or 15 years if they are not maintained.

Looking for an easy way to take care of your fuel oil furnace maintenance? You can read about our service agreements here.

2. Change the Air Filter Regularly

Filters are found on any ducted system, and fuel oil furnaces are no different. Remember to change your filter once every 3 months, or as recommended by your local professional (more or less depending on your specific lifestyle and household).

Not sure how to change your filter, what kind to use, or how often you should be changing it? Glance through this Beginner's Guide to HVAC Filters post.

3. Never Let the Fuel Oil Tank Get Low

Fuel oil collects dust and sediment, even when contained in a tank. When fuel oil mixes with dust, it creates a sludge that settles at the bottom of the tank. This sludge does not enter the furnace unless the fuel oil tank gets low enough, causing the filth and grime to get sucked up into the unit.

Do yourself a favor and just avoid that one... it's not a pleasant situation.

Fortunately, avoiding this issue is easy. Just keep tabs on the oil level after your first fill-up. Keep track of how often the furnace is running, and how much fuel it's going through. When it gets to half a tank, note how long it took to get there. If it made it through the winter on only half a tank, good news! you'll be all set to get annual fill-ups. If you made it through a few months, it may be worth getting the tank topped off a couple of times a year (once before the winter, and again 3 months later). Figuring out this schedule is very helpful for Fuel Oil owners, so the sooner you know when you usually need to get it filled, the better.

Also, note that the furnace will work harder and go through more oil during harsher weather, so if a particular week is excessively cold, check in on your oil levels to make sure you're still in good shape.

Conclusion:

Fuel oil furnaces are a great, durable, long-lasting option for heating your home, but they do require some attention. If you're willing to devote some time now and then to make sure it's taken care of, that furnace will take care of you and your family for many cold winters to come.