Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Milford’

What Happens If You Run an AC Without the Filter?

Monday, June 6th, 2022
man-holding-filter

A major piece of advice we like to give our clients about their air conditioning systems is to regularly change the air filter. This filter is sometimes called the “blower filter,” since it’s usually housed near where the blower pulls air into the HVAC system. Changing the filter is a part of regular maintenance for an air conditioner: it’s something our technicians do as part of air conditioning maintenance in Milford, DE, and it’s also a job homeowners need to take care of themselves during the rest of the season. We recommend changing this filter every 1 to 3 months, depending on the filter’s strength. Leaving it in place will lead to it clogging up, which severely affects AC performance and efficiency.

“So why bother with it at all?” you might ask. “Why not just run the AC without the filter?” 

This isn’t a solution! The filter does an important job, and removing it entirely will lead to damage to the air conditioner, extra repairs, and likely an early replacement for the system. Below are some of the specific problems that running an AC without a filter can cause. 

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How a Tank Flush Can Help a Water Heater

Monday, February 14th, 2022
water-heater-tank

When it comes to the lifespan of your water heater, most systems last between eight and twelve years. Some brands are, of course, designed to last longer than others, but even if you have a high-quality system, if you don’t maintain it, you will shorten its life.

Water heaters bring outside cold water into your home and then heat it with an electric element or a gas burner. Over time, the minerals that are in the water create sediment in the tank. This sediment then settles at the bottom.

Here’s why this is a problem.

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Why Your Furnace Is Overheating and What Can You Do About It?

Monday, November 22nd, 2021
thermometer-going-red

Any powered mechanical device can potentially overheat. A furnace, a powerful device designed to generate heat, is especially susceptible to overheating. You’ll know that your home’s furnace is overheating if it keeps shutting down early and you notice a burning odor coming from the vents. You may also notice a humming sound coming from the furnace, which indicates a motor that’s overworking. 

The first thing you need to know in this situation is that the furnace is acting the way it should in case of overheating: it’s shutting off. Gas furnaces are designed with safety features that will shut the system down when overheating occurs. The furnace’s limit switch detects a temperature that’s too high and turns off the heating cycle.

You still need to have furnace repair in Milford to fix the furnace—you absolutely don’t want to risk any potential furnace dangers, and continuing to run the furnace puts it at risk of burnt-out motors and even more expensive repairs. 

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When Is an HVAC System Repair TOO Expensive?

Monday, April 13th, 2020
blue-question-mark

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?

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Should You Replace Your HVAC System With a Heat Pump?

Monday, October 28th, 2019

You’re reading this because it’s fall and you have plans to make a big change to your HVAC system before the winter weather arrives. You’re debating about a new choice for comfort: a heat pump. Heat pumps are similar to air conditioners—they move heat from one place to another using the circulation of refrigerant. The difference is heat pumps can switch the direction they operate so they function as both air conditioners and heaters.

This sounds like a dream choice, doesn’t it? Your year-round comfort needs taken care of with a single system that can switch jobs with an adjustment of the thermostat. Of course, it can’t be that simple. And it isn’t.

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