Signs and Symptoms of a Bad AC Compressor

Richmond, VA summers can get hot, and it’s not uncommon for us to get calls from panicking homeowners saying their AC unit has broken down during the summer months.

 

One of the most common causes for this is a failing AC compressor, a part that generally gives signs and symptoms of failure before breaking down completely. Unfortunately many homeowners don’t call until their entire unit stops working, which is why it’s helpful to know how to tell if your home AC compressor is bad. Taking action before the compressor completely goes out can save you from suffering through summer heat and the avoidable cost of fixing a broken HVAC system.

Refrigerant leaks and what to do about them

Is your HVAC system making weird sounds and not cooling your house very well this summer? If so, chances are you have a refrigerant leak.

Refrigerant is an essential part of your HVAC system. It is the liquid/gas that actually turns your home’s warm air into cold air. When your HVAC system is low on refrigerant, your AC can’t cool your home efficiently and you risk damaging your air conditioner. We’ll tell you the cause of refrigerant leaks, how to get it fixed correctly and how to keep it from happening again.

What causes a refrigerant leak?

Whenever your system was installed, the proper amount of refrigerant was added. If working and sealed correctly, this refrigerant should stay inside your AC’s coils and constantly recirculate.

However, sometimes holes and cracks develop in the coils, which causes the refrigerant to leak. As the refrigerant level drops, your space gets harder to cool, causing the air to become warmer. Usually these leaks happen due to the age of your HVAC system because the metal coils wear over time. A leak could also be due to corrosion on the coils, like grime and pollutants, due to neglected maintenance.

How to properly fix your refrigerant leak ?

Some unscrupulous HVAC companies may recommend that you just add more refrigerant to get you through the summer, but this is a very shortsighted solution. Doing this will damage your system and eventually leave you paying just as much as you would to properly fix the leak.

There are two options for fixing your refrigerant leak the correct way:

1. Find and repair the hole(s). Quality HVAC service providers have equipment that quickly detects leaks and repair them.

2. Replace the AC coil. If your system is old or in poor condition, it might be time to replace the entire coil. This option is the most expensive, but when your system is properly repaired you’ll experience better performance, lower energy bills and no more recurring leaks.

How to avoid refrigerant leaks in the future ?

In most cases, refrigerant leaks are preventable with regular system maintenance. At least once or twice a year, invest in maintenance to keep your HVAC system in optimal condition.

The HVAC professionals at W.G. Speeks can provide you with regular maintenance to make sure everything is running properly, and if it’s not, we can fix it. Call us today at 804-776-5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmond, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.

Reference : Refrigerant leaks and what to do about them

The Importance of Maintaining Cooling Towers

WG Speeks services and installs all types of heating/cooling needs for commercial or industrial buildings, and this includes cooling towers. Cooling towers allow the majority of the water being used to be recycled, eliminating an enormous amount of water wastage.

They are also the key to maximizing chiller efficiency and ensuring longer overall system life. But just like other HVAC units, they require proper maintenance to ensure they’re running at peak efficiency.

=>> Here are few cooling tower maintenance tips to keep in mind:

1. Inspect your motors

In many water-based cooling systems, cooling tower fan motors draw the most electricity out of any component. The standard motors operate at only one or two speeds, which can leave them using too much electricity as the overall system load decreases.

It’s important to have your motors inspected by a professional over time. You may opt to install a premium motor, because they can reduce electricity use by 8%. These high-efficiency motors are more expensive than the standard motors, but in a large commercial building with cooling needs, savings will add up quickly.

2. Manage Water Levels

Cooling towers must have the correct water level to perform that their optimal efficiency. It’s also important to note that overfilling can lead to roof damage. With daily inspection, it is easy to keep this in check. Having a meter installed to monitor water levels can simplify this process.

 

3. Ensure Contamination Compliance

There are special inspection and decontamination rules for cooling towers. These rules are mainly in place to prevent outbreaks of the deadly legionella bacteria, which causes pneumonia like symptoms. Because cooling towers are outside, they are vulnerable to contaminants like leaves, dirt and soot. This also poses a health risk. Make sure your cooling tower is tested regularly for these issues.

Call W.G. Speeks Today

For more questions about our cooling tower services, to schedule an installation or any of our other services, call us at 804.776.5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmond, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.

Reference: The Importance of Maintaining Cooling Towers

How to monitor indoor air quality at home?

Indoor Air Quality monitoring is very necessary if you live in or near the states Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, North Caroline, etc. These are the areas that have changing atmosphere throughout the year.

 The HVAC technician can help you with HVAC Repair Service in Richmond, VA. The Richmond Air Conditioning repair company – W.G. Speeks has been serving Richmond and areas near that since 1943. While most indoor air can be noticeably freshened with this technology, it’s not always obvious which homes need it the most. So here is the few indoor air quality monitoring measures: 
 

1. Radon Testing: 

Radon is toxic colorless gas, which radiates from decaying radium used in radiography and cancer treatment. You may not have any radium at your home but it could generate from underground soil. Radon in the soil can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation, so if your home has never been tested, start immediately. 

2. Carbon monoxide testing: 

Carbon Monoxide is again an odorless gas that could kill you immediately. It could generate from boilers, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, gas and kerosene heaters, gas and wood stoves and clothes dryers. The carbon monoxide detectors are reliable and easily available in the markets. Install one of these on every floor of your home and test the carbon monoxide. 

3. Mold testing: 

The mold testing detectors are easily available in hardware store in the form of disc. Mold has a distinctive smell, so if you have active mold growth in your home, the odor is likely to be the first telltale sign. So, you could easily contact your HVAC technician for the guidance or call IAQ inspector for the thorough check-up. 
 

These are the few indoor air quality measures that you could check it at your home. If you are unable to maintain your HVAC equipment, you could always contact W. G. Speeks.

How to Protect your AC Unit from Theft

Your outdoor AC unit contains valuable copper in the coil, refrigerant lines and wiring. Unfortunately this means your AC unit is a target for thieves; and they won’t think twice about destroying your entire unit to get what they’re looking for.

Here are some ways to protect your AC unit from theft and avoid inconvenient and costly equipment replacement.

1. Enclose the unit

Of all the tips to protect your unit from theft, this one is probably the most foolproof. You can use a unit fence or a cage to enclose your unit, but make sure the unit can still “breathe” so it continues to operate correctly. Be sure to consult an HVAC Professional about what would work best for your unit.

2. Lock the Disconnect Box

This box disconnects the unit from electrical power. Thieves will turn the power off before removing the condenser to make it safe. If you prevent them from being able to open the disconnect box, chances are they will leave it alone.

3. Install a camera and lights

This combination allows you to monitor your outdoor unit 24/7. Make sure they are installed where they can’t be vandalized and place warning signs to deter thieves.

4. Set up an alarm

There are a few different products made to drive away perpetrators if your unit’s voltage is interrupted, the refrigerant lines are cut or any tampering is taking place.

5. Camouflage the unit

If your unit is hard to see, thieves will most likely pass your home by. On the flip side, leaving the air conditioner exposed can work just as well. If the ac unit is in plain sight near frequent drive-by traffic, this could also discourage thieves.

6. Use a tracking device

GPS technology offers a state-of-the-art tool to monitor movement of your HVAC unit. The device will track the unit’s location if stolen as well as alert you and the police.

7. Get a dog

Just like dogs can help prevent thieves from targeting your home, they serve as a great deterrent for thieves targeting your HVAC unit.

For more advice on protecting your AC unit from thieves or for any of our other services, call us at 804-776-5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmond, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.

Reference: How to Protect your AC Unit from Theft

Improve Comfort this Summer with a Dehumidifier

 It’s not quite summer yet, but warmer weather is definitely close by. And with warm weather comes humidity, which can unfortunately make your indoor air quality worse than the outdoor air. Your home’s humidity levels should be between 30%-50%; anything higher than 50% could lead to mold development or other negative issues.

In addition to being unsightly, mold can have a seriously negative health impact on you and your family. Fortunately there is a way to prevent too much humidity and the possibility of mold in your home. The solution lies in a whole-house dehumidifier! And we want to help you find out if this is the right move for your home.

Property Protection

Humidity causes excess moisture, which can cause many aesthetic problems for your home, from peeling wallpaper and increased dust to warping your wood floors. When you reduce your home’s humidity levels, you decrease the risk of these problems. Some other benefits of dryer air include clothes drying faster and rust buildup prevention.

Health Protection

This one is obviously very important. Too much moisture in the air can trigger symptoms in people who suffer from asthma or allergies. A dehumidifier will keep this from happening as well as reduce skin and respiratory system irritation. Breathe easier and be comfortable in your home with a dehumidifier.

But do you really need a dehumidifier?

To determine if a dehumidifier would truly benefit your home, look around for signs. Have you noticed water stains on the walls or ceilings? Does your home sometimes smell musty? Is there frequent condensation on your windows or an unusual amount of dust? These are all signs your home has too much moisture and a whole-house dehumidifier is the right solution.

For more information on whole-house dehumidifiers or to schedule a dehumidifier installation with one of our experts, call us at 804-776-5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable HVAC Richmond, VA experts since 1943.

Content Source : Improve Comfort this Summer with a Dehumidifier

 

HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners

Owning a pet is a rewarding experience. Pets offer companionship and
unconditional love. But owning a pet is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken
lightly. As a pet owner, it’s your job to provide your animal with a safe and
loving home environment. This means you need to put in a little-added effort
when it comes to your HVAC system. Here are some tips to keep your home
safe and comfortable for both you and your pets.

Keep it clean

We’ll start with the most obvious tip; keep your pet clean. Pet dander is a huge
issue when it comes to the quality of your air. Dander from dogs and cats is
actually the leading cause of allergies. This is why regularly bathing and
brushing is crucial in ensuring good air quality in your home. You should also
vacuum and dust regular to keep pet hair at a minimum.

Check for exposed wires

Exposed wires to your HVAC system can be an alluring “chew toy” for many
pets. This is obviously most common in puppies and kittens, but you can never
be too safe even with your grown pets. To keep the wires and your pet safe,
enclose wires in conduits.

Change your HVAC system’s air filter

Having a pet means you should change your HVAC system’s air filter more
often than those without a pet. Check your air filter once a month to make sure
it’s not dirty or clogged with pet hair. A clogged air filter means higher utility
bills and it could even shorten the life of your HVAC system.

Enclose outside condenser units

If your pet has free reign of the yard, they pose a threat to your outside unit. If
your pet claws the fins on the condenser coils, they could injure themselves
and damage your unit. Also, dogs mark their territory by urinating. Your
condenser could be a target. Urine can cause the fins to erode over time and
even cause costly refrigerant leaks. Avoid any of these potential issues by
putting up a fence or some type of barrier around your condenser unit.
The HVAC Richmond professionals at W.G. Speeks can provide you with regular
maintenance to make sure everything is running properly, and if it’s not, we
can fix it. If you live with cats or dogs, give us a call today at 804-276-2800 to
see how we can help you improve the air quality in your home for you and your
pets.

Content Source : HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners