Residential & Commercial HVAC and Refrigeration Tips Blog | Atlantic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Understanding When You Have an AC Emergency

May 11th, 2020

As the weather is getting warmer as we get nearer to summer, air conditioners are going to get to work—and some of them will start to not work. We offer 24/7 repair service for our customers when they have an emergency situation with their air conditioning systems. We know how vital a cooling system is for the comfort and safety of your family.

But people sometimes have questions about what constitutes a need for an emergency call. An air conditioner that won’t turn on at all certainly seems like an emergency. But maybe there is a simple explanation? Sometimes there is, and we want to help you understand better when you have an actual AC emergency on your hands and how to tell when there’s a simple troubleshooting step that will take care of the problem.

Don’t Forget the “V” in Your HVAC System: Ventilation

April 27th, 2020

When homeowners think about their indoor comfort, they usually think of their heating and air conditioning: the “H” and “AC” in the acronym “HVAC.” They often forget about the “V” sandwiched in the middle, standing for “ventilation.” But that letter is in the acronym for a good reason—ventilation is essential for comfort in a home and for better indoor air quality. Problems with ductwork in the ventilation system can lead to poor heating/cooling distribution, humidity swings, dusty and polluted air, and a plunge in HVAC energy efficiency.

When Is an HVAC System Repair TOO Expensive?

April 13th, 2020

If you’re asking yourself about whether a repair for your faulty HVAC system is too costly, it’s either because a) your heater is starting to fail at the end of the season after a long winter, or b) you’re concerned about your old air conditioning system and if it will manage the coming summer weather.

In either case, you’re already asking the right question. Repairs for an HVAC system early on in its service life are usually worth the price, and many will fall under the warranty. With older systems that are out of warranty, price becomes a bigger concern. The cost to fix an older AC, furnace, boiler, or heat pump is often steeper, and you may be on the edge of purchasing a new system. Is the cost of a repair worthwhile, or is the repair too expensive and it’s finally time for a replacement system?

How Worried Should Those Furnace Noises Make You?

March 30th, 2020

technician-giving-furnace-maintenance-tune-up

When your furnace is running during cold weather, you have a good idea of what kind of noises it makes. A modern furnace won’t make a racket, but it does create a blanket white noise of air moving through the vents. When you’re near to the HVAC cabinet, you’ll be able to hear the burners running and the noise of the blower fan and its motor.

But if your furnace is making unusual sounds, ones you aren’t accustomed to hearing, you may feel worried something is wrong. Is it an emergency that needs 24/7 services from a Smyrna, DE, HVAC contractor? Or is it maybe nothing and you’re overreacting?

Why Is My HVAC System Unevenly Heating the House?

March 16th, 2020

The end of the winter season is when a heating system is most likely to run into problems. After all, it’s gone through a few steady months of regular work keeping a house warm against extreme cold. If a heater had proper maintenance done in fall, it has a strong chance of making it through to the warmer weather of spring without incident. But nothing can be guaranteed, and one common trouble a house may encounter with its heating at the end of the season is uneven comfort.

When heating is uneven, parts of the house will feel colder than normal, while others may feel hotter. Yes, stuffy rooms are as much a warning as cold rooms! Something is wrong with the forced-air heating system that has created this imbalance. It may be a simple error, but in many cases you will need a professional Georgetown, DE, HVAC contractor to locate the problem and fix it.

March Is an Ideal Time for Pre-Season HVAC Maintenance

March 2nd, 2020

The weather conditions during March can go through extreme shifts, but it certainly isn’t a time when we can expect to start receiving steady warmer temperatures. But is the month when spring officially starts, and that means it’s also the first month when you should give serious consideration to your household HVAC in Delaware. The air conditioner in your HVAC system must have its regular pre-summer maintenance inspection and tune-up during spring, and arranging for the work in March is a great idea. Our technicians have more open schedule and can easily find a convenient appointment time.

Furnace Age—Let’s See What Is “Too Old”

February 17th, 2020

Unless you move out of your house, you will eventually need to replace the household furnace. No matter how well you maintain a furnace, it will start to deteriorate from age and wear. Maintenance can help it reach a long service life, but a time will come when you’ll have to make the decision that the furnace is too old and needs a replacement.

What is “too old” for a furnace? That’s the big question, and it doesn’t have a straightforward answer. Not all furnaces are identical, nor do they wear out at the same rate. In this post, we can provide details about furnace age and performance to give you an idea about when to consider a new furnace.

A Boiler That Won’t Do the Job? Some Reasons for Bad Boiler Behavior

February 3rd, 2020

Boilers are still around and heating homes because they offer even and effective heating that often outdoes forced-air systems like furnaces and heat pumps. The even distribution of heat is one the advantages of having a boiler in the first place.

But if you have a boiler that isn’t giving you the even heating spread you expect from it, or simply isn’t meeting the target for warmth you need to stay comfortable, you may need to call for heating repair in Delaware to get it fixed. Our HVAC technicians are experts at handling boilers, which isn’t a skill you’ll find at every heating contractor in the area. Whatever issue you’re having with your household boiler, trust that we’ll find the source of the problem and have it fixed.

Why We Install Mitsubishi Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems

January 20th, 2020

You have so many choices for home heating and cooling products. Probably too many, and we understand why it can feel bewildering to decide on what brand is the best for your home. But when you come to our experts for ductless heating in Delaware and Maryland, we already have the right brand in mind for you: a Mitsubishi ductless heating and cooling system. As a Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer, we are specially certified to install and service Mitsubishi products. We’ve found that they offer the finest when it comes to ductless mini split systems.

Why do we believe this strongly in Mitsubishi ductless comfort solutions? There are several reasons:

Can My Gas Furnace Become Dangerous?

January 6th, 2020

More than 66 million homes across the country use natural gas in some way. It’s the preferred power source for kitchens and the most reliable way to provide warmth while also saving money. Yet people still have concerns about the safety of using natural gas. It’s easy to become worried when you hear about accidents with natural gas resulting in fires, explosions, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

It’s true that natural gas can become hazardous, and the gas furnace in your home does have the potential to create safety issues. However, natural gas would not be used in 66 million homes (and five million businesses) if it was a regular safety problem. Gas furnaces are constructed to operate as safely as possible. As long as you have the furnace serviced regularly—annual professional maintenance tune-ups and prompt repairs as necessary—you and your family can enjoy years of worry-free heating.

However, we recommend you read below to find out how the furnace might turn dangerous. Arming yourself with this knowledge can help you know when to call us for professional furnace service in Georgetown, DE.