Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

What’s the Deal With Smart Thermostats?

Monday, May 13th, 2019

smart-thermostat-concept

Smart thermostats are all the rage… Yet, it’s not as if “dumb” thermostats are going obsolete. In fact, we’ll be the first ones to tell you that a programmable thermostat is all you need to run your air conditioner efficiently.

But that’s not to say programmable thermostats are infallible. There’s a lot you’re missing out on by not using a smart thermostat (in particular, we’re talking about money).

In this post, we’ll go over what the deal is with smart thermostats and why upgrading to one is a worthwhile air conditioning service in Maryland.

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Why You Shouldn’t Start Your AC Without Maintenance

Monday, April 29th, 2019

ac-maintenanceAfter last year’s summer began to cool off, there was finally a day that was the very last. Without your realizing, there was one day of the season that became the last day that you used your air conditioner.

Since then, your air conditioner has had plenty of time to collect dust—and we don’t just mean that figuratively.

If your AC has developed any issues over the winter, the best thing you can do is refrain from using it until you’ve had it tuned-up. Instead of waiting just before the summer returns, however, you can get that maintenance check out of the way anytime before summer.

Here are some reasons why that’s a good idea:

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AC Maintenance: Get it Over With!

Monday, April 15th, 2019

more-ac-problems-more-moneyHave you heard about the countless benefits of air conditioning maintenance? Did you know that getting air conditioning maintenance makes your AC more efficient? Makes it less likely to develop repair issues? Makes it last longer, in general?

We’ve found that the average homeowner has no problem understanding these benefits of AC maintenance. Rather, the problem is that they just never get around to scheduling it! We don’t blame you, of course—it’s just part of human nature. It’s the same reason why so many people only go to the doctor after they start having problems.

That being said, here’s our take on why AC maintenance should be done now instead of later:

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3 Causes of Compressor Failure

Monday, August 6th, 2018

compressor-in-outdoor-unitAn easy way to understand the purpose of refrigerant in your air conditioner is by comparing it to blood in the body. The refrigerant flows through the AC system, changing from a gaseous state to a liquid state, and leaves your home nice and cool as a result. Without the perfect amount, the system (or body) will fail to operate properly. However, this phase change is impossible without the compressor, the component that pumps the refrigerant through the system. In this analogy, then, the compressor is the heart. Likewise, a broken compressor won’t be cheap to fix. Before it gets to the point that you need to call an AC repair service, you can first look out for the symptoms of compressor failure as explained in the causes below.

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Say Goodbye to Hot Spots in Your Home

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

couple-satisfied-with-temperature-recline-on-white-couchAre there some rooms in your home that always seem several degrees warmer than the rest of the house? Rooms upstairs and those facing the sun throughout the day usually get it the worst. In the HVAC industry, we actually have a term for those rooms: hot spots.

A basic air conditioning system won’t immediately fix hot spots, which can be frustrating. The last thing you want to do, though, is lower the AC further to try and beat the heat in those rooms. It’ll probably work, but now the other rooms in the house will be way too cold. Plus, you simply shouldn’t have to use more energy than you really want to.

There are two solutions for hot spots, one for each type of air conditioning setup: Duct and ductless systems.

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How AC Maintenance Saves You Money

Monday, June 11th, 2018

air-conditioning-repairSummer’s here, and you’ll be running your AC more than ever. This also means your monthly electric bill is about to go up too. This doesn’t mean, however, you must resign yourself to paying any more than necessary. Even if your AC system is running fine, you can still reduce your monthly bill through a regular maintenance schedule. Sounds good? We’ll go through the hows and whys below to explain how investing a little in your AC system now can save you more money over the long haul.

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Does Your AC Do This? You Need Professional Repair!

Monday, May 28th, 2018

The HVAC in your house is one of the most important features for your comfort and one of the biggest investments as well. Truth is, though, even the most well-maintained and high-quality HVAC system has a life cycle of about 10 to 15 years. Just like a vehicle, your HVAC needs regular maintenance and just like with your own health, it’s easier to address a problem at Stage 1 than at Stage 4 or 5. Here are a few warning signs that mean it might be time to make an appointment for A/C repair:

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3 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool this Summer

Monday, May 21st, 2018

man-cooling-offThings are starting to heat up here in Smyrna, DE! In no time, we’ll be operating our air conditioners at full-tilt, and we’ll need to ensure that they’re working just as they should. How would you rate your home’s ability to stay cool during the summer heat and humidity?

Read on to learn about 3 important ways to keep your home cool this summer, no matter the system, and no matter the size of your home.

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Help! There’s Frost on My Air Conditioning Coils!

Monday, April 30th, 2018

frozen-ac-coilsAir conditioning season is coming, and when our summer heat waves hit, you need to be on guard for any problems with your system. Only trained professionals should attempt to diagnose (much less repair) an air conditioner. The system contains potentially dangerous chemicals, and without formal licensing any attempt at repairs could be unsafe.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to spot the signs that something is wrong, then call in a repair service to take care of it. Among the more subtle symptoms of trouble is the presence of frost or ice on the coils. At first, it doesn’t sound like a big issue. After all, isn’t the air conditioner supposed to be cold? In point of face, however, frost on your air conditioning coils is a sign that you need to turn off the system immediately and call in a repair service.

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Call Air Conditioning Repair Services for Refrigerant Problems

Monday, April 16th, 2018

air-conditioning-repairAir conditioners are far more than luxuries around here when summer temperatures rise and the weather gets hot. If your system breaks down, you may be tempted to attempt repairs on the system for yourself, perhaps in order to save a little money. This is a serious mistake. Air conditioners contain potentially dangerous chemicals like refrigerant, which requires formal training and licensing to handle safely. Indeed, refrigerant problems rank among the most common issues your air conditioner may face.

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